SHEVAT 29
IN Unity
“See how good and how
pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity - ” (Ps 133:1 ISR)
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now known as the
Tabernacle Choir) has been in existence for more than a century, performing for
people around the world. The choir is
made up of 360 volunteer members – both male and female – all members of the
LDS Church.[1] The harmony that has been perfected by this
choir is amazing, and has been a source of pleasure and enjoyment to all who
listen.
Each
member of this choir is both unique and individual; there are no clones in
existence here. Each person has their
own personality, their own set of likes and dislikes, their own mannerisms. And yet, all 360 individuals are united in one goal, in one purpose,
which is to sing in harmony with each other, under the direction of the choir
director. I believe there is a lesson to
be learned here.
We
are not expected to always agree with each other; I have yet to find that verse
in the Scriptures. We are expected to dwell (yâshab, Strong’s H3427), to take up
permanent residence together, and be united, in harmony and in one accord. Our personal application of Torah should not
be a source of division and discord; we should be able to harmonize on our
belief in the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as our God and Creator. Just because I choose to walk this way does not mean I cannot
harmonize with the one who chooses to walk that
way. Just because I like brussel sprouts
does not mean that I cannot eat with one who does not. And just because I choose one political party
over another does not mean that I cannot sing in harmony with those who chose
differently.
I am
reminded of a neighborhood in a town I used to live in. All the houses in this neighborhood were of
the same basic blueprint and design; one could imagine a “cookie-cutter” was
used. And yet, they were all
individual. This first house had green
shutters and a green metal roof; the next house had brick-like siding and a
shingle roof. The following house was
painted blue, the house across the street was yellow, and so on, and so on. They were all the same in their basic
structure, yet they were all different.
We
need to stop, cease, desist all the petty bickering that is going on between
those who call themselves by His
name. Do we really believe that our squabbles are bringing honor to the One who
is our King? Or is our ‘being right’ of
more importance than His esteem?
“So, then, let us
pursue the matters of peace and
the matters for building up one
another.” (Rom 14:19 ISR)
“Eagerly pursue peace
and holiness with all, without which no one will see YAHWEH.” (Heb 12:14 HRB)
©2021
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