We all agree…these are challenging times that we live in! Who doesn’t wish the divisiveness which pervades so much of our lives could somehow magically disappear! And wouldn’t it seem strange if our morning newspaper or our twitter updates had nothing to say about the wrangling on Capitol Hill or another outbreak of racism or a new record of violent deaths in a major USA city?

Just what does a follower of Jesus do in light of this growing disunity? How can we ever find unity in our of our diversity?

In Paul’s conclusion to his letter to the divided and struggling Christians living in Ephesus is one of encouragement. He writes tells them to “be strong in the Lord,” and stand firm against any evil practice, cultural tradition, institutional system, or even cosmic spirit which separates and divides people from each other. These kinds of evil practices destroy what Jesus did on the cross as he broke down the dividing walls and hostility between all people. Using the image of the armor a soldier might wear to go into battle, Paul encourages his readers to put on God’s armor so that they might be able to stand firm no matter what happens.

Are these words that we can live by today? Can we find hope that God will empower us to work for unity in our diversity? Come this weekend and learn about this armor of God so you might be filled with hope and courage no matter what happens!