November 2004
Deborah

"When locks are long in Israel, when the people offer themselves willingly-bless the LORD!" --Judges 5:1-2

Building Unity

In their earliest days the tribes of Israel were scattered and fragmented. They were not yet a single people, a single nation. But Deborah was a dynamic prophetess and a judge over the tribes of Israel. Unity, loyalty, and community increased under her charismatic leadership. Deborah sang a song of thanks to the leaders of the people who had caught the vision of being Yahweh's people and to the people themselves for their faithfulness. A nation was being born.

Believing in the potential and ability of the people around you-as Deborah did-is like blowing upon the coals of a fire. It is one life feeding and being fed by another life; it is infectious and animating. Others know you believe in them by the confidence that is placed in them, the responsibility committed to their care, and the respect accorded their insight and instruction. Believing in others creates a community of coequals. It makes a scattering of humanity into a gathering of community.

The Church is this gathered people. We are the bony structures, sturdy muscles, and throbbing heart of a God still active in this world. We need each other. We are each other. And we are more than just we ourselves because of each other.

The exercise of leadership is often the act of blowing a gentle breath of life across the vision and talent found in those around us. It is to inspire unity of faith and commonness of purpose. It is to walk faithfully with God alongside one another. It is to sit at table with one another, offering prayers and thanksgivings for the One who is ("Yahweh") and who is among us ("Emanuel").

How can your congregation be gathered and encouraged in its common efforts?

Prayer: Breathe on us, Breath of God, and ignite us with your celestial fire. Grant us a spirit of oneness and faithfulness that we may truly be the Body of Christ for the sake of the world. Amen.