There’s nothing sweeter than sharing worship with others from various denominations, walks of life or ethnic backgrounds. It’s sweet because it is a picture of heaven, a menagerie of humanity born and called to one purpose – to glorify God. I’ve experienced this diversity through Women of Faith conferences, participation in Billy Graham’s ministry, interdenominational Bible studies, and in working briefly with Focus on the Family years ago.

What’s most fascinating about witnessing the diversity of the body is realizing that God has innumerable ways to reach, teach, and grow His children. That just has to make sense if you really think about it. The God Who fashioned the universe with such amazing creativity likely works just as creatively when wooing and refining His followers. It seems likely that God delights in the creativity and diversity of His established Church.

God’s primary concern is the condition of an individual’s heart. When that heart is wholly set on Him, the Holy Spirit can then manifest and direct that faith in any way our creative Lord pleases. Why do we ever think that worship style, an individual’s spiritual journey, external circumstances or outward appearances can define the Church? By whose definition? Why do we put God in a box?

I sincerely believe God grieves the denominational walls we place between ourselves and other believers. I know He grieves the pride that often builds those walls. So many of the conflicts that divide the denominations are not issues of spiritual life and death; they are nonessentials. We must choose to work together in a spirit of unity as commanded repeatedly in Scripture. A house divided is severely weakened. With one voice we must proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and stand firmly united through the (promised) coming darkness.

Over the years I’ve been deeply humbled by the faith of others whose denominational affiliations I had long ago deemed dead.

Forgive me, Lord.

God desires to open our eyes and correct our thinking when pride and misinformation have taken root, so I’m thankful for His correction. I have had to open the box in which I had placed God, and I have been amazed by the eye-opening, growth-producing revelation that has found a home in my heart as a result. I have become aware of legalistic, prejudicial boundaries that had no place in the heart of one redeemed. 

If I were asked to make a banner to fly over this blog, it would likely read, “Open the box – and unite!”

Let’s do this for His sake.

Joy in Jesus

Jacquee