“We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers. ― Martin Luther King, Jr

What an amazing world we live in: one can jump on a plane, and fly to all parts of this marvellous planet, be it sandy beaches, plentiful rainforests, dry astonishing deserts; one can dive into the depths of the oceans, and explore a side to the planet that remains relatively untouched in many ways; as a people we even have those that are experiencing this world as an outsider from the International Space Centre, seeing this world in all its glory.

Yet, among the amazingness and beauty, we see millions starving every day, we turn on the news and see stories of those being killed in wars, some of terror and some over commodities and power. We see that there is pain on an international level, a national level, and unfortunately on a local level. The question is why?

While I am sure there are many reasons and you, no doubt, have an opinion, I would like to suggest that at the centre of all this pain, is a lack of unity among us as people. We have not learned how to live together. Our society has become one that values self over that of neighbour or community. Don’t get me wrong, I know it can be difficult to love everyone around you, the dog owner who doesn’t clean up after their pet, the person who persistently parks where they shouldn’t, or the person whose fundamental belief is different from ours. However, it is only in working towards that unity within diversity of our community that I believe we can move forward together, locally, nationally and internationally.

As a Christian, I often believe we complicate what Jesus taught us. Yes, my faith is intricate, complex and rich in texture, but it is also quite simple. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments, which fulfil all commandments of the Old Testament, are to love God with all our minds, hearts, souls, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. As a Christian, and therefore as a church, we have a responsibility to do just that but I believe it is only through loving each other that we will reach that understanding that we are brothers and sisters.

Let us not just focus on the accomplishments of self, but also ask the question of what is my role with the people around me? How can I love the person I disagree with? How can I make the small difference in my specific sphere of influence?

ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PRINTED IN THE AUGUST 2017 EDITION OF THE GAMLINGAY GAZZETTE.