'unity is not found, it's forged'

i was recently discussing unity among the church body with someone, and they made a comment about just 'not having found unity' in the church - to which i responded, "unity is not found, it is forged."

it was one of those things that just popped out of my mouth with absolutely no forethought, and has stuck with me for days and days. it's a profound revelation to me, so it's one of those Spirit-of-God moments, not something that came from my own wrinkled brain. i've been mulling on it ever since.

"unity is not found, it is forged".... it takes heat, persistence, follow-through, and determination to hang in there when it's hot and uncomfortable. it's not one of those things that you can scan the horizon for, determine 'there's no unity to be found here', and move on to look elsewhere.

instead, we are to go where God tells us, dig in our heels, and become a part. participate. be vulnerable. get hurt... and forgive. and keep going, refusing to let the enemy drag you away from where God's called you. you *will* get hurt. the church *will* fail you. for the simple reason that they are humans, and *not* God himself. and honestly... you will hurt others, too... and as much as you wouldn't want to see the person *you* hurt give up because of it, don't give up because others hurt you. say, dammit, no matter what comes up, i'm not letting go of you!

it takes two to create unity. if one walks away, the other cannot hold on to them. it takes two holding on to each other 'come hell or high water' to form unity. that is the very definition of unity. it is not something that a person can walk up to another person and say, hmm, no unity here, and walk away. unity takes sweat, tears, determination, and sheer grit.

and it's what God calls us to.