Many Strengths, One Mission!

This past August marked my 17th year of employment at Loma Linda University! I continue to count it a privilege and blessing to provide spiritual care and leadership to our diverse community of learners. As I considered Psalm 133, our scripture for this week, I was reminded of our Loma Linda University Health slogan: Many Strengths. One Mission.

How good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Coming down upon the beard,

Even Aaron’s beard,

Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon

Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.

—Psalm 133:1–3

David, the author of this song of ascents, describes the beauty found amongst people who operate from a position of unity. This agreement of purpose would be necessary to David, the second King of Israel, under whose leadership the 12 tribal communities descended from Jacob became a nation. While the tribes were not at odds with each other, they lived as disparate bands scattered across the land of Canaan. Bible commentators John D. Barry and Lawrence O. Richards explain that Ma’alot (songs of ascent) were sung by pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem and were also classified as wisdom psalms (meant to pass on wise teachings) or a corporate psalm of confidence (meant to help a group express trust in God).

As I imagine the ancient near east community and David reciting these words over the years, it was a reminder of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Psalm 133 serves as a reminder and an invitation to invest in each other as we pursue our organizational mission.

As a Christian Seventh-day Adventist institution, we are committed to following the teaching and healing Ministry of Jesus. Our capacity to attain this goal is rooted in our ability to appreciate, accept, and learn from our diversity.

As we continue to navigate our social and political milieu together, creating opportunities to gather periodically reminds us that it is indeed “good” and “pleasant” to center our human connection. It is the reason why we do what we do. These could be times of reflection and affirmation of what we are doing well, together with times of physical and spiritual renewal and prayer. When we do this, our many strengths support our LLUH mission.

—Dilys Brooks, MDiv, BCC, is campus chaplain for Loma Linda University.