The level of unity has really been affected by a significant number of factors. It has now come to an era when leaders are out to build empires…
In order to achieve your God-given purpose, a major prerequisite is developing closely-knitted relationships with institutions and individuals who have goals and visions similar to what you have, as there can’t be another person with exactly the same vision as yours. You are not created to be and work alone, as your destiny can only be fulfilled amidst a God-ordained network. As an old saying; “a tree cannot make a forest”. King Solomon had a very close relationship with his father’s friend, Hiram, King of Tyre, an expert in hewing of wood. “…and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians” (1 Kings 5:6). Hiram was one of the kingdom connections which Solomon leveraged, as he committed himself to build the temple unto God.
Another significant effect of connecting with others in order to achieve your God-given vision is keeping peaceful co-existence with others, especially individuals and institutions which the Lord has placed around you. King Solomon gave himself to selfless service and fruitful relationship with all the regions around his territory, earning him loyalty and peaceful diplomatic relations. “For he had dominion all over the region on this side of the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side of the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” (1 Kings 4:24-25).
Peace and Unity Propel Connection
Apart from the advantage and support he got from connecting with the people of other regions and institutions around him, King Solomon’s reign was a peaceful one, as he did not experience any invasion of war throughout his reign. “…and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they two made a league together”. (1 Kings 5:12). You are not called to achieve your vision alone. Paul admonishes the Romans… “If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”. (Romans 12:18). It therefore becomes fundamental to follow peace within the network God has placed you in His kingdom, in order to have a smoother sail in pursuing your ministerial goals and aspirations. It is also noteworthy that kingdom connection and peaceful coexistence apply to secular aspects of life, ministry and the Christian race.
“12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:12-14).
Considering the intensity of being in one accord during the early days of the apostolic network, I notice the potency of prayers and supplications are extremely incomparable with the present dispensation. The level of unity has really been affected by a significant number of factors. It has now come to an era when leaders are out to build empires (ministry) for themselves and watered-down the pursuance of the mandate to work together in order to uphold the great commission of reaching the ends of the earth, with the gospel of truth. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). There is now a need to rise to the consciousness of this and stand up to it, with a firm decision to work together as one body, leveraging on the kingdom connections which the Lord has placed around us, with the ultimate aim of reaching the ends of the earth, preaching the gospel of truth.
