With You is the Fountain of Life

As I prepare for the services for the ‘Week of prayer for Christian unity’, I find myself once more amazed that there is still a need for such a week in the Church’s calendar. If we can only spare one week to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ - if we need to pray for Christian unity - then we cannot be experiencing in any way the vision Jesus had for all His followers. “My prayer is ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20 Perhaps we forget all too easily that it is the Father who, because of the Son’s shed blood and broken body, grants us forgiveness and acceptance as His children. It doesn’t matter which denomination we belong to, it’s the state of our hearts that really concerns Him and is the key to true belonging to Him and His Kingdom. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 36, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens ... Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

But the same Psalmist goes on to say, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (v9). What is he trying to tell us? I think he is reminding us that God, having forgiven us through Christ, then pours and continues to pour His love and grace into our restored lives. That’s the wonder of a fountain isn’t I? It continues to pour forth its waters, which cover everything in its path, so that all things are washed clean, refreshed and renewed in its clear, sparkling waters. We who belong to God by salvation are then continually washed, refreshed and renewed by God’s all pervading love.

As this fountain of life renews us, so it also clears our vision, “in your light we see light.” We see more clearly what this world needs, we see its corruption, its despair and lostness. But also we ought to see clearly the work our fellow believers in Christ are doing as they individually and collectively seek to obey Christ’s commands of love. Unity is about knowing the source from whom we all derive our energies, vision and inspiration - the fountain of life - Jesus., and about sharing all He gives to us with each other so that together we, His Church, may be about His direct commands, “to make disciples, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20)

So then, unity is about all who love the Lord working and serving together to fulfil all His commands. Don’t you find that thrilling - yes and challenging? I do!