Devotional

Have you ever watched a team before the game starts? Players are scattered across the field—stretching, practicing, talking—each in their own world. It looks like chaos. But everything changes when the game begins and the quarterback calls the team into a huddle. Our lives often resemble that pre-game chaos. We pursue our individual goals, build our personal kingdoms, and seek recognition for our achievements. We naturally drift toward independence rather than interdependence. But God calls us to something better. In Acts 1, we see the early believers gathering together after Jesus’ ascension. They didn’t scatter to pursue individual ministries; they united in prayer and purpose. This unity became the foundation for everything God would do through them. The world offers countless ways to categorize and divide us. We’re sorted by politics, preferences, backgrounds, and beliefs. Even churches divide over denominations, worship styles, and theological nuances. Yet Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one—a profound, loving unity that transcends our differences. This doesn’t mean we’ll agree on everything or that our differences disappear. Rather, it means we recognize that our shared identity in Christ matters more than what divides us. We choose to focus on our common mission rather than our disagreements. We commit to loving one another even when it’s difficult.

Bible Verse

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” – Acts 1:12-14

Reflection Question

What divisions or disagreements in your church or community are preventing the unity Jesus prayed for? What step could you take this week to bridge one of these divides?

Quote 

“Have you ever watched the beginning of a football game? Beginning of a football game, before the game begins and all of the players go out on the field and they’re doing what? They’re warming up. Okay, but they’re warming up. And as they’re warming up, they’re each doing their own individual thing. They’re stretching, they’re throwing, they’re running, they’re talking to people, and it’s almost chaos.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve contributed to division rather than unity. Help me to see beyond differences to the common bond we share in Christ. Give me courage to be a peacemaker and bridge-builder in my community of faith. May our unity reflect Your love to a watching world. Amen.