‘The goal
is for all of them to become one heart and mind-Just as you, Father, are in me
and I in you, So that might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might
believe that you, in fact sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So
that they’ll be as unified and together as we are-I in them and you in me. Then
they’ll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that
you’ve sent me and loved them in the same way you’ve loved me.’ (John 17:
21-23, Msg)
Jesus is praying for you and I too have ‘synergy’ in our hearts toward one another. This means working
together! The term ‘synergy’ is used
to describe a situation and potential outcome where different entities
co-operate advantageously for a mutually desired outcome. In other words, we
value what we can accomplish in unity (oneness of mind and heart) more than
what we could achieve alone. It is the way of the Kingdom of God. Wow, what a
mouthful of potential!
Maybe an illustration from business will help. Have you seen
gas stations that now have chain restaurants inside of them? Like a Shell
station with a McDonald's. They intentioned an effort to make their joint
venture more important than their individual corporate vision and values. It is
to both of their advantages to have a synergistic venture. The sum of their joint venture is greater
than their individualistic parts.
The American way tends to value individualism and being self
made over unity and joint vision. That is not Kingdom of God thinking and
certainly has not resulted in the answer to the prayer of Jesus recorded in
John 17. The church in America tends to reflect the same individualistic
attitude. This is reflected in a disjointed sense of mission. Don’t think the
world is impressed or drawn to our competitive individualistic expressions of
church.
What Jesus is praying is mind-boggling. For all of us to
become one heart and mind-just as He and His Father are in complete agreement
and unity. He encourages this synergistic lifestyle and walk. His ultimate
value is Kingdom relationships. This becomes a dynamic state in which combined
action is favored over the sum of individual actions. Can you dare to imagine
how exhilarating it is for the Trinity to lay down their individual glory for
the sake of our sharing in their glory? It is just as exhilarating for us to
endeavor to live in this intentioned synergistic unity-oneness of heart and
mind.
Once we see the potential glory of oneness of heart and mind,
we can begin to be coordinated in our mission to the world. Think about
it-giving the world ill-refutable evidence that Jesus is who He claims and that
Papa’s love for the world sent Him. All that is involved in unity, oneness of
heart and mind, is our most powerful sign and wonder. Of course, only He can
help each of us, by His grace, to overcome the obstacles within. When our
hearts and minds become one, the issues that tended to separate us before seem
to be meaningless in comparison.
Look out; the time has come for this prayer to be answered in
its fullness. Let’s together bring to earth the heavenly synergy of Papa, Jesus
and the Holy Spirit!
In the grip of Papa’s grace, Ron Ross
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