Pieces of a Whole

We live in a culture that’s full of division—division 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
landscape—the colors, the sounds, the various materials—are 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 creation—including
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:

Rom.14.19|Gal.3.28|Col.3.12-Col.3.15|Matt.22.36-Matt.22.40