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“But we already have that. Why do we need two?”

This was the question I couldn’t seem to get answered.

Every quarter, we had team meetings. All of our counterparts from across the state would come together and share ideas, discuss what was working and what wasn’t, and plan events for our students.

A young lady had joined our meeting from another division, and she was laying out a plan. She was building a team that would work across the state in each of our centers to offer college students extra resources to help them prepare for the medical field—resources like test prep, interview skills workshops, hands-on activities, and job shadowing.

And all of it was going to be funded by our grant.

Wait. What?

“But we already have that. Why do we need two? Those are the exact things we already do in our jobs. How would that be any different or helpful?”

We had a common goal. In her mind, it was a great plan. But we certainly weren’t in unity. We needed to work together to create something new, not just duplicate what was already being done—and certainly not create something that would take students away from existing, successful programs.

It’s hard to accomplish a goal when the team members aren’t working as a team.

Paul saw the importance of unity too. In his final words to the believers in Thessalonica, he said:

“Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

—1 Thessalonians 5:25–28

In these final words, Paul gives them three simple instructions:

* Pray for Paul and his missionary companions.
* Be unified with fellow believers.
* Share this letter so that all believers will know the truth, be encouraged, and walk together in unity.

That’s what the holy kiss represented. In their culture, it was a normal greeting. Among Christians, it represented unity, equality, love, and fellowship.

This was Paul’s desire: Know the truth of God and be unified in His mission.

Work together.

Encourage one another in the Lord.

Share the truth of God.

Disciple new believers.

This mission hasn’t changed. Paul’s message is just as relevant to us today.

What role are we playing in God’s mission? Are we working in unity with other believers? Or are our words and actions causing division?

We have a common goal and a common mission. We aren’t competing with one another. We’re working together to make Christ known.

Let’s pray for the mission of Christ and be unified as we share the gospel and make disciples.

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