Sacred Truth: We Are One
Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other ~ John 13:34
Imagine a world where we all acknowledged the divine connection we all share. A world where we see each other, not as distant strangers, but as brothers and sisters.
Your willingness and ability to see others through God’s eyes would bless and inform your relationships, your perception of the world, and deepen your understanding of God’s love for us all.
I like to imagine that we are all connected by a small, invisible thread, and this thread may become visible at times, even for a moment, when we laugh, when we mourn, when we celebrate the birth of a child, or the union of a groom and his bride, and other human milestones. We have more in common than we realize.
We all share the breath of our eternal Creator (Genesis 2:7).
We are all interconnected. We belong to each other. We need each other to survive.
I truly believe we were all created to be a community - living, learning, and growing together, just as Christ’s disciples did so long ago (Acts 2), giving glory to our Creator in all we think, say, and do.
This is especially true for the followers of The Way, the followers of Jesus Christ. Before time began, our heavenly Father envisioned a world of pure love and true unity and fellowship for all of His creation.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity ~ Psalm 133:1
But, let’s be honest - there are times when it’s difficult to fully realize this truth. For centuries, humanity has been plagued by misunderstandings, conflict, violence, and even war. Even our personal day-to-day interactions with others, which can be challenging at times, may make it difficult to see others through the eyes of God.
Revelations in silence
I invite you to take time each day and sit in stillness. Let the Lord speak to your heart about this matter. Allow God to open your spiritual eyes. Little by little, you’ll see the truth. He will enable you to navigate those times when it becomes challenging to love your neighbor as yourself, as God desires us to do (Matthew 22:39).
During my prayer and meditations, I sit still and “feel” the world around me. A few minutes of stillness, my thoughts begin to settle, and the chaos around me slowly fades away. For a moment in time, I’m fully present. I can sense that everything around me, from the land to the trees to all creatures, vibrates with God’s loving energy. Outside of the noise and chaos swirling around me, I realize that the breath of God permeates all things.
The world beats with the heart of God.
This beautiful truth is only experienced and understood in silence and stillness. In God’s presence.
From the revelations I received during my prayer times, here are some of the benefits of fully acknowledging and nurturing the connection we share as human beings:
1. This knowledge informs your words and actions towards others.
Armed with the knowledge that we are all connected and created by the One who formed the entire universe (Genesis 1), changes your perception of the world.
Acknowledging and nurturing your connection to others will enrich your relationships and make your everyday interactions with others flow more smoothly. For starters, you’ll be more careful to taste your words and mull over your actions before sharing them with others. You’ll know that your words and actions have consequences, whether good or evil. You’ll be less inclined to share words or actions of strife and contention, and will be more inclined to be kind, loving, and more understanding when your brother or sister stumbles or offends you.
2. It’s easier to give of yourself and your resources.
With a deeper understanding of your special connection to others, you’ll think less about yourself and more about others. Your thoughts move from “how can I get my needs met” to “how can I attend to the needs of others” or “how can I help others to thrive in this world”.
You’ll give and share freely with others because you understand that all things belong to God, and He has an infinite supply of everything we need or desire (Philippians 4:19; James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8-10). In God’s economy, those who give prosper, but those who withhold from others are led into poverty (Proverbs 11:24 -25). The willingness to give is a blessing, and giving comes with divine blessings for the giver (Acts 20:35).
And you’ll know that there is plenty to go around; Your heart is not consumed with jealousy and envy. You are sincerely joyful when our Father blesses your brother or sister with something good. You can freely let your love for others flow, wholeheartedly expecting that our loving Father has plenty of blessings in store for you, too.
3. It’s easier to forgive the faults and mistakes of others.
As humans, we sometimes make mistakes, even bad choices. When you truly realize that the world is filled with people who make mistakes, and weaknesses and vulnerabilities, it’s easier to avoid the temptation to become resentful and hold anger and unforgiveness toward your brother or sister. And you’ll be more mindful that, as Christ forgave you of your sins, you have to be ready and willing to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13).
Conflict and misunderstandings occur, and this is normal, but when you continuously exercise your ability to step outside of the situation and allow the Holy Spirit to take the lead, you enable God’s immediate direction, intervention, and healing in any challenging situation. Indeed, forgiveness takes practice. Choosing the path of forgiveness when conflict arises becomes easier over time. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, it will be more than possible for you to conquer this aspect of human life.
4. There’s no room for racism or prejudice.
As followers of Christ, you are a pilgrim on this earthly plane – you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Your place in the Kingdom is not only here and now, but you are preparing for life in our Father’s kingdom, which He he has prepared for all of us before the world began (John 18:36).
Here on earth, we are placed in culturally constructed categories – race, gender, ethnicity, religions, creeds – the list goes on. But as Christians, we are ONE. There are no special distinctions or categories. No denominations. All are equal. We are all ONE body, moving and living together in unison, for the glory of God.
If you can see beyond what the world sees and internalize this truth, then it will be easier for you to love others on a higher level. In God’s kingdom, here on earth and in His future kingdom, there is absolutely no room for racism and prejudice. Anyone with hatred in their hearts will not see God and His Kingdom (John 3:15), and according to His Word, it is impossible to hate your brother or sister and love God at the same time (1 John 4:20).
5. You are more inclined to share the Gospel out of a deep love for others.
A genuine awareness of others can awaken a deep and lasting love within us.
When you remember that Jesus Christ gave His life for ALL of humanity (John 3:16), you begin to grasp the depth of God’s unending love for His creation. Each person is a cherished treasure of the Most High God. His desire is that no one would be lost, but that everyone could be saved and come to know the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Our heavenly Father’s invitation of love is extended to all people, everywhere.
As you grow in your love for God and spend time in His presence every day, His heart becomes your heart, His desires become your desires. The more you see others through God’s eyes, the more you begin to love them as He loves them. This divine perspective will fill you with compassion and move you to share the good news of the Gospel, because you long for others to experience the same love, forgiveness, and restoration that God has given you.
Sharing the gospel becomes not just an act of obedience, but a joyful labor of love - a reflection of God’s own heart reaching out to the world.
Let Love Shape Your Future.
Allow our heavenly Father to open your spiritual eyes and enlighten the dark corners of your heart so that you can see the world through his eyes, and love with a deep, divine love that only the Creator of all the universe can reveal to you.
A prayer to see the world through the eyes of our heavenly Father:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your unending love. A love so deep, so patient, and so full of mercy that it reaches every corner of this world. Lord, we confess that too often we see others through our own limited vision, shaped by our own preconceived notions, thoughts, and experiences. But today, we ask You to open our spiritual eyes.
Help us to see people as You see them - precious, valuable, and deeply loved. Let Your compassion fill our hearts until it overflows into the way we think, speak, and act. Teach us to look beyond differences, past mistakes, and outward appearances, and to behold the beauty of Your image in every person we meet.
Lord, as we draw nearer to You, shape our hearts to mirror Yours. Let Your love transform the way we see the world so that we are moved with genuine care and desire to share the hope of the Gospel. Help us to see our mission not out of duty or fear, but out of pure love for You and the world You so graciously have given us.
Give us courage to be Your hands and feet, kindness and patience to reflect Your heart, and faith to trust that Your love working through us can change lives.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another ~ 1 John 4:11
Let’s Reflect:
In your quiet moments, do you ever consider, truly consider, the divine connection you have with every human being in the world? Do you reflect on the fact that every person you encounter each day was created in the image of the Most High God?
When you’re out and about do you take time to lovingly observe the people around you? At your local coffee shop? At the gas station? At school? At the office?
Do you take time to pray for the world? Does reflecting on the world around you inspire feelings of love or loathing for other human beings?