Many of you may have never heard about the Eurovision; but if you are of European descent, the word dredges up deep levels of emotion in your heart.
The Eurovision, a song contest, began in 1956. Participating countries contribute a song to the contest, and voters determine which country’s song is the best. Starting with just 7 participants, the Eurovision hosted 52 countries in 2021. Though the majority of these are European countries, many other nations have also joined in recent years, including Cyprus, Israel, and even a country as far away as Australia. Many of these countries have taken away the coveted “prize” of first place winners, with Ireland being the champion of all times with 7 wins.
As a child, I, as did many Europeans, lived for the Eurovision. As soon as the participants were announced, I would listen to all of the different songs well in advance and write down my favourites. I even went so far as to rank them! Of course, my rankings never matched the official results, but this goes to show how it was an important part of my life. As a young adult living in North America, we had not access to the Eurovision, so my mom would record it and send it to me. Remember those little cassette tapes? The older ones in the audience will! Later, in the computer age, I was able to access the songs online, and even to watch the event from the comforts of my home.
What was so special about the Eurovision, and why does it continue to hold so much intrigue that it is known to be the longest-running annual international televised music competition as well as the world’s longest-running television program?
I’m sure I don’t have all of the answers to that question, and perhaps I don’t even have most of them. But I do have one answer, and within this one answer lies a wealth of valuable spiritual lessons…
This answer dates back to the reason the Eurovision came to be in the first place. The brainchild of Marcel Bezençon, the song contest was originally conceived with the desire to unite European countries following World War II. And what better way than through cross-border television broadcasts?
And in its early history, the Eurovision did just that…
Now I ask: If European unity was so valued after WWII that they came up with a way to help unit it, then what about unity in the church? Isn’t this even more important? Didn’t Jesus call us to be united? Didn’t He speak about this numerous times, especially in His final pastoral prayer?
“I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.” (John 17:22-23 NASB)
Of special note here is the reasons Jesus gave for wanting His church to live in unity:
- “…that they may be perfected in unity…”
- “…so that the world may know that You sent Me…”
- “… So that the world may know that … You loved them, just as You loved me.”
Can you imagine if the church were to truly achieve this kind of unity? We would be perfected! We would send an unmistakable message to the world that Jesus is of God, that Jesus was sent from the Father, that He had — and still has — a purpose here on Earth! And most importantly, if the church were to achieve this kind of unity, the world would see that God loves them…
Wow!
How do we achieve this kind of unity? Well, I’m not suggesting a song contest here… but unity begins on the individual level. Each one of us must strive to live in unity with other members of the body of Christ. And each church must strive to live in unity with other churches in their regions. And denominations must try to live in unity with one another. It’s a big ambition, but it will never come to be if we don’t start! And since Jesus gave us the ultimate example in praying for unity, I can’t emphasis enough the role of prayer. We, as the body of Christ, must be praying fervently for unity in the church!
I’m afraid to say that in modern years, the Eurovision may have taken on some political aspects, with concerns being raised that political friendships and rivalries between countries have had an impact on the results. When we see how something meant to unify can be turned into something that actually divides, we understand even more how important it is that we pray fervently for unity in the church, and that we continually pray a hedge of protection around the church so that discord will be bound and sent back to the pit of hell where it came from, and that unity will prevail now and forever.
The Eurovision final contest for 2023 will take place tomorrow, and for any of you Europeans out there who are planning on watching, may this serve as a reminder to you to pray fervently for unity among God’s people. And for the rest of you, may this devotional remind you of the need for two fold action: To pray without ceasing for unity in the church, and to take personal strides towards ensuring our own unity with the body of Christ.
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries