When thinking about unity, I often think about the importance of community and friendship. Throughout my life, God has brought so many different great relationships that have had enormous impacts on my life for the better through the church. People that I have grown up with through the youth group and people much older than me who have helped better me over the years, good and bad times. They have helped me to see the importance of strong Christ-based relationships. Good Christian friends help us grow in our faith and help us through all of life’s struggles. They help build us up when we are feeling down and help hold us accountable when we need help.
This has become more apparent to me since I have started college. Thankfully, I have had some of these very close friends go with me to college. These friendships have helped build up my faith, and I am very thankful for them. I am also thankful for all of the other relationships that I have within the church. I am thankful for all of those who have reached out and helped me throughout my life. These relationships have shown me the importance of reaching out to others and always being there for other people and making sure to check up on others.
From what I can see, God wants us to join together in unity and to do this we must cultivate good and strong relationships. From friendships to mentor-like relationships that are based on accountability. We must strive and pray to grow closer together, so that we can go through all of life’s hardships in unity.
"Christ died for us so that whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
"Share each other’s burdens and in this way obey the law of Christ." -Galatians 6:2