The church that Diane and I attend in Galax believes that the people in the church should be as one person. This sounds simplistic, but it should be. The inspiration for this two-word motto comes from the movie “The Boys in the Boat.”

A sculling, or rowing team has to be one person when on the water if they want to win a race. If they do not row as one person they will not get anywhere except possibly in a circle. Their oars would collide, causing confusion and possibly knocking one or two rowers out of the boat.

There is a big difference between unity and uniformity. Wearing uniforms and using the same equipment did not make the boys in the boat “as one”. Just because you are members of the same Olympic rowing team, dress like someone, or go to the same church does not make you “as one”.

Uniformity is when everyone dresses alike, talks alike, and thinks alike. Unity is when individual thinkers with their style, ideas, loves, and hates can unite for a greater purpose. Uniformity is when everyone gives up their opinion and agrees with all those around them. Unity is when a group of people who don’t have a lot in common join with each other for something they do have in common, like the love of God and his Son Jesus Christ. We people of God are to be unified in purpose. We are not to be all the same. We are not to be King James Bible Only or argue over the color of the church carpet, what music to play on Sunday Morning, or if there should be granola bars in the foyer.

God does not want that kind of uniformity. He desires to take us all, each very different, and make our hearts as one.

We must understand the difference between unity and uniformity. Those who do not understand what actual unity is, tend to force their views on those around them. If you do understand what it is you will accept folks who are different from you and when you do it feels pretty good.

Psalm 133

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is

when God’s people 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 on the collar of his robe.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon

were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

even life forevermore.