2020 has been a serious test of our humanity. Whether we agree or disagree with one another, we are all humans going through the same issues. That’s where unity begins, with God’s fundamental creation. And yet, even within the very first family, there was division.

Practicing unity is also a way of supporting each other, especially those who aren’t able to speak up for themselves and achieve results. The same way that Moses fought the Egyptians to free the Hebrews, we can also work to ensure that everyone is treated equally.

This month we’ll be learning from the Israelites and the ways they were able to overcome their problems by heeding God’s word and working together. As much as we’d love to believe there was a whole kum-ba-yah vibe happening the whole time, we know that in reality, it was far from that. They were just a bunch of people who were frustrated and exhausted from moving all the time, and as a result, they took it out on each other. The more they sinned, the longer their time in the wilderness. A vicious cycle.

Thankfully, God prepared Moses for this by making him a Judge to handle all of their disputes. His father-in-law helped him expand that by suggesting he create a new court system that would allow Moses to manage his time better so he could focus more on accomplishing God’s will. Justice through unity!

God’s love and mercy are meant to teach us how to treat one another. To love equally is not an easy task, which is why it’s stressed so often throughout the Bible. Knowing this, it should be easier to love others because they are loving you. Unfortunately, there are many who don’t receive love, so they don’t know how to love. That is why it’s so important to be united in our love, to love as part of a group. You don’t have to know someone personally to love them through kindness, you just have to be able to see that they need it. And we all need it, from the family at the food bank to the worst bully ever.

A beautiful example of loving through unity and justice is my dear friend and Gratitude Bestie Quin Taylor. She’s an invisible illness warrior who is teaching others (not just people with chronic illnesses) how to find their voice and speak up for themselves. Even more importantly, Quin has been a leader in patient advocacy in our state, guiding others to spread awareness and working with officials in all levels of government to make changes that would benefit people with chronic kidney disease. Right now, as you read this, there is someone sitting in a dialysis chair who feels well-taken care of because Quin and many others fought for them behind the scenes.

Unity. Justice. Love.

How can you spread it?

I truly hope this month inspires you to be more open to working with someone you wouldn’t normally want to work with. Love can be tough, but the more you share it the softer it gets. Who knows, you may end up becoming a better person for it!