A Picture Of Biblical Unity On Fire

At about 7 pm on Thursday, I received a text: "Pastor Scott, have you heard there is a big fire at 600 and Colorado?" No, I didn't know there was a fire. I immediately became concerned; our church is located at 500 and Colorado. I decided to head down and see if there was anything I could do to help and ensure our church building was okay.

Upon arriving at the fire, I found an abandoned building engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to the adjacent residence. A large tree in the back of the building was on fire, and several power poles were either burning or were very close to the flames. The thick black smoke was intense.

A large crowd of people from La Junta gathered to watch the fire department attempt to extinguish the fire. What I didn't witness was panic. What I did see was a unified effort by multiple departments from multiple towns working together in perfect unity with one single purpose in mind. To keep people safe and to prevent the growing inferno from spreading to other buildings.

It reminded me of Ephesians 4:1-3 where Paul urges us "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace".

Firefighters from multiple municipalities gathered to receive instructions from their leaders on how to fight the fire most effectively. Students from Otero College came to help firefighters move heavy 4-inch hoses to a hydrant two blocks away when the hydrant near the fire failed to work. Linemen from Black Hills Power used bucket trucks to scale into the thick smoke to disconnect power to prevent power transformers from exploding. Paramedics were running to firefighters as they backed away from the fire, struggling with smoke inhalation. Retired firefighters were helping to coordinate food and water for the weary crews. Residents were helping each other put water on the roofs of nearby residences threatened by the fire. Churches were coordinated with authorities, offering shelter for those who may be displaced—a beautiful sight to see.

I was moved by witnessing this incredible illustration of selfless unity in action in my small town. Everyone involved was walking in a manner worthy of the call they had received. Everyone was working with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

What I witnessed is what the Lord has called us as His church to do. What would happen if the world saw a church that set its ego aside to work together in unity of purpose to serve Christ and bring lost people to Jesus for the glory of God? The Lord has called on us to be patient with one another, to bear with one another in love, and to eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit, which binds us together in harmony.

The Lord showed me a real-life picture of biblical unity on fire last Thursday night in La Junta.

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Scott Johnson serves as the Lead Pastor of Calvary La Junta, a Church Replant in La Junta, Colorado.