Spring is singing its song, and the chorus spreads throughout the world.  

Grass is racing along the hillsides, igniting every hill and hollow in green.  Birds are soaring in from the south—the bushes and trees that were so silent in winter are full of rustlings and chirpings.  The first flowers—daffodils and crocuses and hyacinths—are peeking above the ground, smiling at the sun.  

Yes, spring is coming, and its heralds are announcing the news.  But of all the signs of spring, not one is more prominent than the song of the spring peepers.

These little frogs are tiny—less than half the length of my thumb—but they hold an operatic power that dazzles.  They spend the winter hibernating underground in layers of mud and return to the surface once the days begin to warm.  Using specially designed vocal structures, they trill their high-pitched song from every bog and brook.  And each spring evening, as dusk falls, the praise rises—the swelling song of these marvelous frogs. 

I love listening to these little frogs, love hearing their songs floating through the purple evenings.  And every time I hear their great chorus rising, it’s amazing to me how all these creatures can stay in harmony.  What makes their song so synchronized?

Well, there’s a special trick:  within the entire chorus, the frogs sing in individual groups of three, with each frog concentrating on staying in unison with the other members of its group.  Thus, the grand choir isn’t a random jumble of frogs singing solos; it’s a collection of small groups that are each staying in harmony with each other.    

I think of this, and I wonder if frogs are smarter than people.

We’re told to live in harmony—in unity.  “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” says the Psalmist; in fact, he goes on to compare harmonious cooperation to the anointing of God on the High Priest (Psalm 133:1-2 NIV).  I find this comparison particularly interesting, because it shows that unity creates a sacred space, bringing the Presence of God to bear on our hearts.

And clearly, unity is God’s design for us as the church.  Look at the infant church right after the Ascension, where “all who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44 ESV).  In fact, the Book of Acts records a jaw-dropping eleven instances where the disciples were specifically mentioned as being “together”—in place, thought, word, or deed—and many other references where it was implied that they were.  In fact, it’s recorded that “they were all together in one place” right before the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost.  Again, we see the pattern—peace among believers creates the perfect environment for the work of God.  

But we don’t often witness that in our world, do we?  Instead of peace, we have pride.  Instead of agreement, we have argument.  Instead of harmony, we have hate.  We live in a world full of division, of voices screaming at each other in dissonance.  Opinions are getting louder and more polarizing.  Voices are getting harsher.  And sadly, it’s often worst of all in the very place that should be free from such problems—the church.  The song we’re called to sing is discordant beyond all repair because we have lost our harmony.

It may seem especially prevalent these days, when political schisms and longstanding grievances and religious controversies have conspired to send shock waves through our fellowship.  But in reality, this is far from a new problem.  Lack of unity has plagued the church for centuries.  

Just turn in your Bible to the book of Colossians.  This book was written by Paul to a church experiencing serious division.  False teachers were infiltrating, creating conflict within the congregation.  The foundations of the faith were fluid, with no codified New Testament to form the basis of doctrine.  Opinions abounded on what to believe and how to live that belief out in the world.  If ever there was a church that had forgotten how to sing in unity, the church at Colossae was it.  

What was Paul’s answer?  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body” (Colossians 3:15a ESV).  Bible teacher Marissa Henley explains this phrase this way:  “The Greek word used here for ‘rule’ can also mean to control or act like a judge. Whatever rules our hearts will direct our thought lives and how we deal with our emotions.”  Writer Kayla Ferris takes this one step further:  “The peace referred to here is not ‘inner peace’ or ‘peace of mind.’  It is a direct reference to peace among people (as is evidenced when the verse says we were called to ‘one body’).  The word ‘rule’ in this verse is an athletic term.  It was like an umpire or a referee.  The peace of Christ was to arbitrate and decide arguments.”

Notice that Paul didn’t say we wouldn’t have divisions.  He didn’t say the path to peace would be nice and neat.  He didn’t even say that once we follow Christ, we’ll all magically agree; that’s not possible because we’re all different people with different views of the world.  So what did Paul say here?  That even in disagreement, peace can abound through the Person of Christ.  We designate His peace as our umpire, and we submit all our other reactions and responses to Him.  As the Life Application Study Bible explains, “To live in peace would not mean that suddenly all differences of opinion would be eliminated, but it would require that they work together despite their differences.”  

Working together despite our differences.  

We don’t wait for the gaps between us to close; instead, we reach across the divide and join hands.  And when we do this, wonderful things happen.  Just look at the next phrases in Paul’s letter for proof.  

Immediately, we learn that unity breeds gratitude:  “And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15b).  Thankfulness and hostility can’t coexist in the same heart.  When we practice peace, we leave room to marvel at the workings of God in our lives and in those of the people around us.  

Next, we can focus on the gospel.  “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives” (v. 16a NLT). How many souls are lost each day because the witnesses are embroiled in petty disagreements?  While we squabble over political details and personal preferences, how many are drowning in darkness?  We’re busy pointing fingers when we should be holding hands.  That’s why Paul reminded his readers that when peace is practiced, there’s room for us to focus on the gospel—the message of Christ in all His glory. 

And when peace and gratitude are coupled with a focus on the primacy of the gospel, then we are a witness to the world.  “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (v. 17 ESV).  Like the frogs in the marsh, we lay aside our individual perspectives and unite to sing one song:  Jesus.  And when we live this way, God receives all the glory.  You see, the world knows that peace isn’t possible from a human perspective.  Peace doesn’t come naturally or easily or frequently.  So when the world sees us living in harmony, our unity creates a holy curiosity to know more about the Jesus we proclaim.  

But maybe you think it’s not possible.  Maybe you’ve tried, but you just don’t see eye-to-eye with that person, and no amount of striving can make peace possible.  

If that’s you, rest on these words today:  “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18 ESV). 

This is both an encouragement and an exhortation.  It’s an encouragement because it reminds us that it’s ok if it’s not possible.  God isn’t judging us on how others respond to us, and if they won’t reciprocate, we’re allowed to graciously walk away.  But on the flip side, we must remember that no matter what the other person does, we need to make sure our own hearts are where they need to be.  We can’t allow someone else’s resistance to be our excuse for harboring resentment or hostility within our own souls.  

What does this look like?  First, we pray for the person, sincerely carrying both their personal needs and the future of the relationship before God.  Next, we focus on the positives.  Rather than relentlessly rehash the situation, we can choose to pasture our minds on their positive qualities or try to practice empathy for their viewpoint.  Lastly, we leave the outcome to God, knowing that He will act in the best possible way to bring about His will. 

Oftentimes, the biggest barrier to peace is us.  Once our focus changes, God can begin to do a work in our heart we didn’t even know we needed.  And maybe that’s why God says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV).  Maybe that’s not some dangling reward for good behavior but a simple expression of fact:  when we cultivate peace, we’re recognized as sharing the Name and character of the Lord.  

Peace.  It’s more than an ideal; it’s a calling.  And I remember it every spring evening, in the mystic music of the frogs.  As I listen to their song, I know I’m not hearing a mindless drone.  I’m hearing individual groups of three, harmonized to each other.  And it reminds me of the trinity of peace—God, myself, and my fellow believers.  If I can work for peace in my one small life, by God’s grace, I believe you can too.  And together, the harmony can spread throughout all the world.  

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments! Also, click here for more information about spring peepers!