Noheli Nziza is Kinyarwandan for “Happy Christmas!” A few members of our team gathered recently to celebrate the visit of Mignone Mwiza from Rwanda. We took advantage of that moment to capture a video representing a Merry Christmas wish to you from the 85 staff members of Hope Haven Rwanda! As we shared laughter, joy and memories together, we acknowledged that our team is made up of some pretty amazing people. God has been good to us, and our team is characterized by humility, which has led to a lot of unity. Saint Paul admonished us to be known for our humility:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2,3).
This season, God has specifically reminded me on several occasions that the key to unity is humility. Let me repeat that concept because it is so important:
Humility is the key to unity.
Here are a couple of examples that have come up in my life during recent weeks:
– I heard a medical doctor share about the first time he delivered a baby. As he watched the father cut the umbilical cord, he marveled at the truth that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe allowed a nervous new father, Joseph, to cut his own umbilical cord. Stunning!
– I heard a devotional that reminded me that when there was “no room in the inn,” the Creator and Sustainer of the universe was born in a barn. Striking!
– I heard that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe chose to give up His rights so that we could be declared right, or “righteous,” before a Holy God. Astonishing!
We believe that Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (See Colossians 1:16-17), chose humility to bring unity. This is great news! God wants to be unified—in intimate relationship—with each one of us, and the pathway toward unity between humans and God, and between humans and humans, is paved with humility.
Are we willing to humble ourselves this season? Humility is the choice. Unity is the result.