Line in the Sand

“Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:3-6

This passage from Ephesians is well-known and often quoted.  It speaks to the importance of unity amongst believers, but what I had not focused as much on before as I read this passage is where the source of the unity is: the Holy Spirit.  The reason it made me think, is that I believe there are a number of circumstances where there are individuals and organizations who talk about unity and togetherness who fall short.

Right now the buzz word in politics is compromise.  The parties are polarized, and a rare few people will make their way away from the ends of the spectrum into the middle.  In 2012 many congressional candidates spoke in their campaigns about reaching across the aisle and to work with the other party.  We voted, you may have even hoped, and you were let down.  To say they have forgotten what they said is being quite generous, if anything drawing lines in the sand and being a polarizing politician is your path to being a celebrity.  Political actions groups compound the situation by giving out report cards for candidates based on how polarizing they are.

Unity is a gift of God, not that we can create, but are called to protect.  Which leaves me with an uncomfortable question, do I try to protect the unity of the Spirit around the office? At Church? Within my family? Or is it easier to try to be right, to make your case, and to try and win at all costs?