I still remember very well one of the first racially integrated church services I and some members of our predominantly white church attended. South Africa was emerging slowly from years of forced racial segregation, and people from all levels of society were talking together, sharing together, and worshiping together. As we made our way toward an Easter Sunday evening service, my heart was throbbing in my throat, and I was looking forward to the service with bated breath. Things turned out well that evening, and I cherish those memories. Things for our country, however, have not always been that great; poverty continues to increase, and inequality is on the rise.

One thing has kept me going over the years: I look for signs of God’s kingdom. I always attempt to discern signs of the unity among God’s people, regardless of denominational affiliation.

In our reading today, we hear some of Jesus’ special prayer to his Father. Jesus asks that everyone who believes in him be one. He then continues to say that his people have been called to unity so that the world may believe that his Father has sent him.

I always have held firmly to the opinion that says: “Where there is division, Christ is not.” For me, one of the kingdom-signs is our ability to work, love, and co-exist side-by-side as God’s children.

Attending a racially diverse church has led me to laboring among people from different denominations, faiths, and backgrounds. The welcome I received that Easter evening humbled me and showed me that God’s basileia (kingdom) is and can be a reality, even when it seems as if negativity might gain the upper hand. So, let’s stand together and know that we worship one Lord, who is God and Father of all.