Undivided

We are 3 days into the US election results. The race is very close. No matter who ends up winning the presidency, everyone can agree on one thing. Huge differences divide the country. Yet that nation is not alone in this reality. Canada experiences similar divides; left/right; central/prairies; urban/rural. Though many say that they don’t like the division and the sharp rhetoric, it seems we can’t help taking sides.

We may not be able to solve the divisions in our society or country. But we certainly need to address division in our heart. Consider Jesus’ words in Luke 16:13 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Yet we try. Some days we wholeheartedly serve God. Other days we half-heartedly try. Half-heartedly. Half our heart loves God. The other half loves money or something else. So we experience the internal conflict of a divided heart.

The Psalmist identified this tendency in his own life. Psalm 86:11 – “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite me heart to fear your name (ESV). Or another Bible translation puts it like this. “Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name (NIV).”

Thankfully, God who has no division in His character. His purity means we need not wonder if He has some hidden agenda. No powerful lobby or special interest will distract Him from His purposes. No amount of money can sway His will. We need God to unite our hearts.

“Lord God, we live in a divided society. The divisions lie just below the surface. Then someone brings up a contentious issue and our divisions fly out of our mouths. So it’s tempting for us to assume that division is natural and normal. But let this not be the case in our hearts towards you. Give us undivided hearts for you so we can become your messengers of hope and healing in our divided world.”