Finally, beloved friends, be cheerful! Repair whatever is broken among you, as your hearts are being knit together in perfect unity. Live continually in peace, and God, the source of love and peace, will mingle with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 TPT
As we approach the election next Tuesday my heart and prayers turn to the hope and need for unity in our nation. When I think of the state of our nation, I think of the state of our relationships. It always boils down to how well we cultivate unity between us at every level of relationship we have.
Since having surgery last week to repair a torn labrum and torn tendon on my right hip, I’ve been totally dependent on those around me to care for me during the 6 weeks required to be off of my feet.
I have so appreciated my close family and friends who have so lovingly looked after me! Having built unity with my family and a number of circles of people over the years, I am finding that everyone wants to do their part to help. It is humbling and so very appreciated!
Most of all, I appreciate my husband Michael who is caring for me daily. I am unable to cook, get dressed, drive, go shopping, climb stairs…the list is long. He has just stepped up to be there for me in those everyday things I used to do so easily.
We have been married for 43 years now. We don’t always agree, we are very different from one another in some ways. But we have worked hard at cultivating unity in our marriage with God at the center.
About 10 years ago we renewed our vows and Michael gave me a ring that represented something very meaningful to us. On our wedding cake was this verse from Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “A threefold cord is not easily broken.”
The ring he gave me was a 3-cord braid with 2 gold and 1 platinum strand, representing this unity that has been building in our lives for many years. I ordered him a ring just like mine this fall and it came today – you can see it pictured in the image I’ve used today.
It represents the ever growing unity and strength between us as a couple because we have wrapped our lives up in Jesus and with each other.
When I think of what we need as a nation, I pray along these lines:
Lord, will you lead many more people in our land to know Jesus? You have all power and authority in heaven and on earth, you alone can bring about the kinds of changes we need! It all starts with You, Lord – will you introduce yourself to those who don’t yet know you, and reintroduce yourself to those who do? Will you cause Ecclesiastes 4:12 kind of relationships to grow and develop at every level of our society?
Without Jesus at the center, we unravel. He is that 3rd cord that never ever breaks! If we wrap ourselves around Him, he holds us together!
United we stand! Divided we fall.
Help us Lord to answer the call to wrap ourselves up in you and let you be the cord that binds together, the cord that will never, ever be broken!
With love and prayers –
Terri
