WF Pride

Focus on Unity and Humility

Chad Cottingham

Television and other media outlets seem to be doing everything they can to divide our great nation. The death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri had the media acting like piranha, chewing and eating up anything but the truth, to drive a wedge between law enforcement and those that choose to break the law. Similar protests have now spread across the county, again fueled by media members who live off sensationalism. People are choosing sides and, as a result, our culture is becoming divided.

Now don’t get me wrong, we have some bad policemen, we have racial issues we need to fix, we have a media bent on division, and we have a lot of things that need fixing as a nation. But we seem to be caught up in the issues that divide instead of unite. We have so many great people, opportunities and ideals that unify us as a great nation. The greatest is that our founding fathers decided that The United States of America would be ONE nation ‘under God’. The problem, to me, is that people are farther from God than ever before. The lack of unity and purpose has caused the turmoil and division we now see running rampant.

We have many opportunities like office parties, band concerts, family get-togethers, and other events this time of year. Let’s take time to focus on the reason for Christmas and the One who came to unite us. Let’s celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Let’s help those around us connect with Christ this Christmas as we set aside our differences. Let’s celebrate the great things He’s done for us and share with each other to encourage and bring us closer together. Let’s take time to look at, and reflect, on what we have that’s good, and wholesome, and pure, and right. Jesus Christ came to unify us and brings us to our heavenly Father.

Listen to Jesus as he prays to His Father, “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:21).

“Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, who humbled himself to be born as a man. Help us to focus on the birth of Christ, and what unifies us a believers. Help us to eliminate the negative distractions that bombard us daily, help us to focus on You in all we say and do. Amen”