The Great Divide

In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.

Micah 4:1

A continental divide is a wide, naturally occurring ridge that separates a continent’s rivers. The Great Divide, known as the Continental Divide of the Americas, runs through much of North and South America. Typically, precipitation that falls on the west side of the Divide will eventually flow into the Pacific Ocean and the precipitation that falls on the east side will flow into the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, or the Gulf of Mexico.

As a child I lived on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide that runs north to south through Colorado at heights over 14,000 feet. The two slopes vary greatly in climate. The western slope is plenteous in fruit orchards. The eastern slope is largely dry with prairies and farmland.

Similarly, when we as Christ-followers allow our selfish desires and longings to become paramount, divisions form. We who profess a personal trust in Jesus have become more divided in recent days as we elevate things of this world above God. Our Lord knows that our unity in witness is vital to influencing our shattered culture. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand (Mark 3:25).

Unlike nature’s Continental Divide and the high places that we erect in our hearts, when God is lifted above all else, we are drawn closer to Him and one another.

Who hasn’t experienced the joy and freedom of reconciling with an estranged family member or friend when we exalt God and humble ourselves through fulfilling the “one anothers” in scripture? God doesn’t separate hearts, but He heals divided hearts when we purpose to direct the flow of our devotions upward, against our natural inclinations.

From our knees, let’s look up to the holy one for his glory.

Jesus, may we be the answer to your prayer (John 17:21) for us to be one and serve one another in love.
Karen Sims