Together as One!

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." — John 17:20-21

I have many friends who say they experience God in a special way when they see the rainbow.

The wonderful Pride flag comprises a rainbow.

After a crazy storm, when the sun starts to shine, what do we see? A rainbow.

There is something special about seeing those colors and the feeling they give us as a reminder that we are strong, we are wonderful, we will be okay. What I especially like about the rainbow is all of the amazing colors coming together as one to make something awe-inspiring.

The colors of the rainbow each have their own unique properties. Separately, they have their own special pizzazz and flare. But when they come together, they create something much bigger and far more significant. Even though red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet come together to make the rainbow, they never lose their individual uniqueness when separated from the whole.

In the text for Sunday, Jesus is praying for the disciples and he prays that the people may come together as one. More specifically, that the people may come together as he and the Father are one. We know that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct entities, but are also one. Each interacts with the world in a different way, but together form the Trinity.

In our world, we are like a rainbow. We are made up of different colors, abilities, and gifts.

We all speak different languages. We have different ways that we interact with music. We have different cultures. We eat different kinds of foods. Each of our bodies interacts with the environment in different ways.

Apart from each other, we are pretty cool. But once we come together, with each of our unique gifts and abilities, we are unstoppable. When we come together as one, we create a wonderful rainbow of hope, excitement, and energy. As one, we create a wonderful rainbow that reflects the face of God. I don’t think Jesus wanted us to let go of that idea. Jesus loves us for who we are.

May you never forget that you have gifts to bring to the table.

May you never forget that there is a place for you at the table.

May you never forget that you are desperately needed at the table.

May you never forget that you are part of the rainbow.

May you never forget that you reflect the face of God.