Pieces of a Whole

We live in a culture that’s full of divisiondivision that leads to

differences in ideas, differences in politics, and even to war. We hear

terms like cultural warfare, cancel culture, and cultural bias. These

phrases are interlaced when it comes to decisions about education, voting

rights, safety, and health. It can feel like there are more problems than

there are solutions. It’s daunting. When I seek peace, I find it in nature.

A hike in the woods makes me feel balanced. I’ll sit on a rock or find a

small clearing and listen to birdsong, babbling creeks, and the whispering

wind. I observe the rich shades of green trees and grass, the earthy brown

dirt and branches, and the playful blue sky and crisp running water. I

breathe it in. In nature, God shows us unity. All those parts of the

landscapethe colors, the sounds, the various materialsare pieces of a

whole. In nature, diversity lives in unity. While a fallen tree rots, a new

flower blooms. Every part plays an integral role. Seeing all the pieces

thriving together as one ecosystem brings me peace. God invites us to learn

from nature. We are all created by God, kept alive by His power, on this

planet, at this time, to honor and love Him. He made us each different on

purpose. And we can thrive, all of us, when we put God first. This is only

possible through Jesus. His death and resurrection have made the way for us

to be united to Him and to each other. As Jesus’s people, we are called to

follow Him and be part of His work of unity, knowing that one day He will

return bodily to earth and fully restore His creationincluding

relationships between people. In the meantime, my goal toward unity is to

love God and live by His Word. As I remember the wholeness I experience in

nature, I know that my small piece will be to love others as God loves me,

and hopefully my piece brings a bit more peace to the whole. Kelly Bakshi

Why is it a worthy goal to love and respect people you disagree with?

When the world seems out of control, how can getting alone with God help us

stay centered? Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Colossians 3:14 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Romans 14:19; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:12-Colossians 3:15; Matthew 22:36-Matthew 22:40