February 26, 2024
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6 Keeping Shalom
I … beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Ephesians 4:1-3, NRSV)
Our marriage brought together two unlike-minded individuals with different backgrounds, gifts, experiences, and communication styles. My husband focuses on details, while I prefer the big picture. This contrast became apparent during a six-hour car purchase. I cared about style and color; he delved into gas mileage, tires, engine details, and more, all that made my eyes glaze over. He’s happy to read through the encyclopedic manual that came with the car while I sit quietly by, thumbing through the 6-page quick reference.
Over the years, we’ve learned to appreciate that both the big picture and details yield effective decision-making. Achieving inner or relational unity, peace, and wholeness, as the Apostle Paul describes, requires humility, gentleness, and patience. True unity – true shalom – involves bearing with and appreciating each other’s differences in love and fostering a deeper connection beyond just compromising to avoid conflict.
Be still and Reflect: As we continue to journey through the reflections of Lent and make our way to the newness of Easter, let’s consider this week how we achieve shalom, both internally, with others, and as a church body. What do you still need to surrender to God to experience inner peace? How does humility, gentleness, and patience help build true “unity of the Spirit in a bond of peace?”
Pray: Heavenly Father, Bind me to Yourself and others through the bond of peace in which I recognize my shared identity with the body of Christ, Your church. Grant me the strength and grace to navigate the challenges of daily life with the shalom that comes only from unity with Your Spirit. In moments of difficulty or disagreement, cultivate in me the patience to bear with one another and the humility to seek unity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria