Surprised and Thankful When God's People Live Together in Unity

In my devotions I often share concerns over troubles, and also consider the love of our Lord to help with such problems. In the midst of life’s struggles, it is also important and good to give thanks. God exhorts us through St. Paul, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) In fact, I recently read that the most common trait of people who are happy is that they are thankful. A spirit of thankfulness leads to peace and joy. And, who has more reason for thanks than those who know the provision and protection of our Heavenly Father, and who know the merciful, undeserved love of God in Jesus?

I will share, however, what may be an unusual reason for thankfulness. I just returned from the Convention of the Northwest District of our church body, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Conventions are NOT my favorite way to spend 3 or 4 days. Often they are a time when people who know the love of God, people who should have reason for agreement, to nevertheless engage in disagreements and often heated arguments over the direction of the church, the church which really belongs to Jesus, not to them.

At this most recent convention we worshiped and we heard presentations about today’s world and the challenges Jesus’ Church faces. We also acted on resolutions through parliamentary procedure, through discussion, and through voting. I have been to perhaps 20 conventions in my life. I often leave disappointed that people who share belief in God’s love, and who agree that the Bible is the word of God, can disagree so much over how our Lord’s Church should serve Him and do His work. In fact, sometimes such discussions between those who call themselves brothers and sisters in Christ are contentious, and can even seem mean spirited. That is not a good witness to the world that we are children of God. It does not accomplish the will of God. In fact, recently in worship we read Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” from John 17. In that prayer Jesus prays for the unity of His Church, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

However, this convention surprised me with the amount of unity we experienced. It gave me reason for thanks, especially in comparison to so many others I have attended. In this meeting of God’s people we discussed some important issues. We considered resolutions on, we debated and voted on, issues such as the ministry of deacons in God’s church. Our church body has debated this issue in recent years, often with much rancor. We did have some different ideas how to expand and practice this Biblically encouraged service in our Lord’s church. But, in discussion no one spoke up to disagree with the idea of diaconate ministry.

We dealt with a number of resolutions on a very divisive topic in our world today, race relations. But, our convention agreed that God loves all people and works to save them in Jesus, and that we should do the same. John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 7:9 was often quoted. “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” Agreeing that those of all “nations, tribes, people and language” will praise God in heaven, we voted overwhelmingly to continue to reach out in faith and in love to all people with the good news of Jesus. We agreed to make ways to help all in our communities to consider the possibility of serving as workers in our Lord’s Church.

We also discussed education in our church body. We have a national system of colleges and seminaries. One area where we spent quite a bit of time was grieving and remembering the college in our district, Concordia University Portland, and its February 2020 closing after 115 years of service in God’s church. We also voted on suggestions for strengthening the current system of schools. In all of these mentioned areas of business, we had lively discussion. But it was a surprise to me that, while we had some differing ideas about how to work together in spreading the kingdom of God, we basically agreed and produced some good work. Knowing ugly disagreements from past conventions, I was surprised. I am thankful.

King David wrote an interesting Psalm about the unity of God’s people, and about how much of a blessing it is. In Psalm 133 God inspired this praise, “1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Yes, God does “bestow His blessings, even life evermore” through the work of His people, His church. I am thankful when I experience unity among God’s people, and for the unity of this recent convention.

Worship on the final night of the convention used The Order of Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) so that we could receive our Lord’s blessings, so we could praise and thank him. In the opening versicle, we pray, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;” I personally am thankful to be part of the effort of God’s people who agree with one another and who are working to share God’s saving love in Jesus with others. Thank you, Lord!