But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (Titus 3:9)

It certainly wasn’t the first time a pair of roommates sat, steely eyed, across the table from each other. The dorm mom had come to expect this at about the four-week mark. The newness of dorm life wears off quickly, it seems. At issue this time were sleeping schedules and bathroom hogging. The irritations loomed large enough that they threatened to tear this pair apart, and each wore concern about her rights in tightly clenched jaws.

The dorm mom reminisced with them about her own college relationships. She talked about how some had faded, yet some remained to this day as integral to her own faith journey and ministry. It was during those college years that she had learned to prefer others above herself, to be vulnerable, and to be a constant friend. A couple of those friends had even since walked with her through a tragedy too great to bear alone. As she spoke, her tears were hot with gratitude. Relationships, she said, were worth mending and developing.

We were created for community. And it is within relationships where we are most shaped in humility to be like Christ. We are stronger together, and will accomplish much more for the kingdom when we’re united instead of divided. So, we must lay down our rights and our preferences about things that do not have eternal value and pursue unity with one another.

Develop unity and community around you.

Elizabeth Rhyno is passionate about seeing people spiritually formed in worship. Wife to Scott and mom to three awesome teens, Elizabeth sees life as a joy journey.

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.