There was a tavern near a college campus, and it was a favorite hangout for many of the students. As Parents’ Weekend approached, they posted a sign that said, “Bring your parents to lunch. We’ll pretend we don’t know you.”

One of the local churches countered with a signboard that read, “Bring your parents to church. We’ll pretend we do know you.”

So, how well do you know yourself? I mean, truthfully and honestly know yourself? Because I wonder if how well we do or do not know ourselves has a direct impact on how deeply we are willing to be considerate of others, their opinions, lifestyles, etc.

Max Lucado said that one day his wife brought home a monkey. His daughters were thrilled but he wasn’t. He had all kinds of questions. Where was the monkey going to eat? His wife said that it was going to sit at the table and eat with them, just like the rest of the family.

Then he asked her where it was going to sleep? And she told him it was going to sleep in their bed. Then he asked, “But what about the smell?”

And she said, “Oh, he’ll get used to you. I did.”

Then Dr. Lucado went on to say, “Before you comment on the odor of someone else, check your own odor first.” That’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Unity has to begin with us. And it has to begin with our personal relationship with Christ. We have to be one with Christ, first.

Make no mistake. As Billy D. Strayhorn has observed, unity isn’t easy. Most of us have never learned how to disagree in love, or how to love those with whom we disagree. We’re like the poet who wrote: “To dwell above with saints we love, That will be grace and glory.

To live below with saints we know; Well, that’s another story!”

Unity isn’t easy. But Jesus not only prayed for it, he modeled it for us. Remember when the disciples came to him complaining about the people who were preaching and doing signs and wonders in Jesus’ name but weren’t part of the “in crowd” of disciples?

They were ready to run them out of town or call down lightning upon their heads. Jesus told the disciples not to stop them and said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit.”

Christian unity is not determined by whether we agree with each other about every interpretation of scripture or doctrine or form of church government. Christian unity IS determined by whether we love one another, and whether we reflect the love of God in Christ for the world.

A Canadian by the name of Ashleigh Brilliant draws cartoons to go with pithy sayings called “Pot Shots.” In one “Pot Shot” two people with walking sticks in hand are climbing a mountain in knee-deep snow. The caption reads: “Keep Climbing Upwards! You may never reach the top, but it’s definitely in that direction.”

We have to continue to work toward unity and understanding – between each other, between the races, between cultures and between denominations. We may never reach it, but by working toward it, at least we’ll be going in the right direction.

Have a great weekend!

(EDITOR’S NOTE: David Grousnick is the pastor of First Christian Church.)