one

i hate numbers.

i usually hate anything that has to do with numbers. remember those TI-83 graphing calculators? i hated those things. basically because i didn't know how to use them. i was lucky if i could figure out how to use my pocket-sized, solar-powered calculator (the one with the least amount of buttons possible...i still don't know what those 'M-/M+' buttons do...)
i was the student you'd find still stuck on number 8 with 12 questions to go on the algebra test when the bell rang. and then all those smart guys (who had turned in their test after 15 minutes) would see you in the hall later and shove their TI-83 in your face because they couldn't wait to show you the new program they wrote that helped them solve all the problems on the test in record time. and all i could do was give 'em a thumbs-up on the way to tutoring.

i'm not bitter.
i just hate numbers.

except one...

ONE....or just "1"

maybe because it's so simple. i can count to ONE. i can understand ONE. ONE is beautiful. and yet ONE takes a lot of work.

check this out: "there is ONE body and ONE Spirit, just as also you were called in ONE hope of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (eph. 4:4-6 nasb).

we have ONE God. that means ONE who has the throne of my heart. yet the fight is there...always fighting ONE...a sin-cursed nature clawing and scratching to take the place of the ONE. that fight is alive and furious in your heart right now as well.
stop hiding it. admit it. you need help.

that is what's so amazing about our ONE God, we are His body. ONE body. ONE body that He bled and died for. ONE body of worshipers who have been set free, who love to give the Holy ONE all the glory.

so why is ONE so hard? why do we fight ONE? we were not created to be alONE but ONE body. you know, sometimes you can't make it on your own.
there are so many theological and philosophical battles being fought over the understanding of the "universal church" and the breakdown of denominations and what not...(a huge discussion that i have no intention of engaging in). but what about starting with our immediate relationships with His body? what a blessing to be a part of ONE body! why would you ever even try to make it all alone?

it's hard to put all of my thoughts down on this subject. i feel like i could write a book about it.
but all of this stems out of watching people close to me fall with noONE there to help them up. (ecc. 4:9-12)

i just wanna cry out to you...if you're out there trying to make it all alONE. STOP!!! run back to The ONE. you are part of His body. and there is ONE body who is there for you. and...that ONE body needs you!

as Christ prayed, "i do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be ONE"