Unity Isn’t Easy (But It’s Worth Talking About)

Psalm 133 is brief—just three verses—but its opening line carries a sense of warmth: "How good and pleasant it is when people live together in unity." The simplicity of that statement feels appealing. Who wouldn’t want to live in harmony with others? Yet reading it today, I kept returning to a simple question: If unity is so good and pleasant, why is it often so difficult?

Oil, Beards, and Dew (Ancient Metaphors for Harmony)

The psalm offers two comparisons. First, unity is like "precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe." Then, it is like "the dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion." Both images carry a sense of abundance. Oil flowing generously over someone, dew providing nourishment to a landscape. These metaphors suggest that unity isn’t just nice to have—it’s life-giving, enriching. But they also make unity sound like something bestowed or received, not necessarily something created by human effort alone.

The Fine Print of Living Together

That idea feels worth exploring. It’s easy to talk about unity as though it should come naturally. But in everyday life, unity can feel more like something that requires work. Differences in perspectives, experiences, and expectations can make living together in harmony feel anything but effortless. Even in close relationships—whether family, friends, or colleagues—disagreements and misunderstandings are common. Staying connected through those moments takes intentional effort.

No Easy Answers (But Still Worth Asking)

Reflecting on this psalm, I found myself wondering how often we expect unity to appear on its own, without recognizing the ongoing choices that sustain it. The psalm paints a picture of what unity can be—refreshing, abundant, even sacred—but it doesn’t describe the process of getting there. It leaves me curious about what steps are needed to cultivate unity in real life. How do people continue to choose understanding over division? How do they navigate disagreements without breaking apart?

Why Keep Trying?

The final line offers a sense of what unity makes possible: "For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." While I approach this from a secular viewpoint, I can appreciate the idea that unity opens space for something larger than the individual—whether that’s community well-being, shared purpose, or simply the experience of connection. Unity might not be easy, but it creates an environment where people can thrive together.

The Takeaway (If There Is One)

Reading Psalm 133 today, I didn’t walk away with answers. But I did come away with a deeper respect for the effort it takes to maintain unity, and a recognition that the "good and pleasant" experience described here might be the result of ongoing, intentional work. And maybe that effort, though challenging, is what makes the outcome so valuable.