One by Deidra Riggs

At first glance, One: Unity In A Divided World by Deidra Riggs seems to be a book about racial separation, particularly within the church and Christian community. While this may, in fact, be the core message at the roots of this book, Deidra expands on the notion of unity beyond just those racial lines and into areas that tend to blur the vision of most Christian churches today.

She explains that not only are we called to love fellow Christians, but also those whom we view as different from us, those who go against the grain of our personal identity.

"I have to be just as willing to lay down my life for the terrorist, the sex offender, the drug trafficker, and the rogue politician as I am for the terrorized, the trafficked, the marginalized, and the disenfranchised." (page 163)

With this profound concept, comes the realization that the purpose of our time here on earth is to bring unity and love to others so they may experience a relationship with God through us. We can't do that if we're not sharing God's love with every person whose life we touch. Every person.

"We have one true enemy, and it is not one another. If we get distracted from that, we do the enemy's work for him. If we look at other human beings, no matter how much we may disagree with them, and label them as "evil" or the "enemy," then we have missed the point. We have fallen into a trap." (page 188)

Deidra invites us to cross the lines that keep us from loving one another. It doesn't mean to forget those things we don't agree with, but it means to see each person as the person God sees them as - a child of God - His son or daughter - our brothers and sisters. They may be lost. They may have wandered from His path. But it becomes our job to light their path so they can find their way home.

I love that Deidra writes from her heart and personal experiences. She shows us her faults and asks us to love her anyway. One is a great book for anyone looking to expand their understanding of God's desires for us in relation to one another. It's written in an easy-to-read format, even for those new to this path. Includes a study guide in the back with questions for each chapter. 4/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from Baker Books, for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

About The Author (copied from back cover):

Deidra Riggs is a national speaker, author, and blogger. As founder of Jumping-Tandem, Deidra leads an online community offering inspiration, encouragement, and a safe place to practice grace. She is a regular contributor to Dayspring's (in)courage online community. She has been a speaker for TEDx and IF:Gathering and has organized her own women's retreat. She lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, with her husband, Harry, and their dog, Santana. Connect with Deidra at DeidraRiggs.com.

Purchase Links:
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