Life with a 7 year-old is an adventure. Little people are busy and full of energy, and it can be a challenge to find things for them to do that will channel all that energy in a positive way. These are the things we are experiencing in our house these days, and I am beyond grateful.
One of the first things we bought for our little friend was a Lego set. On that very first day he was here, he and Aaron worked on putting some of it together, but it didn’t get finished. Then, last week, we had some dear friends over, and he worked more on the Legos with their little girl. More got done, but there is still more to do.
Before prayer meeting last week, I suggested that he bring the Legos to church with him as a quiet way of channeling that energy. His response? “No, I need teamwork for that.” He knew that the task was something he couldn’t complete on his own, and he would need help.
You see, this little guy LOVES teamwork. We have found that helping people brings him great joy. He helps me with the dishes and with folding laundry and then says, “We did teamwork, right?” He knows that when we work together, difficult tasks become more manageable.
I started to see the application to living the Christian life right away. So many times, I strive for independence – more of a “I can do it by myself” sort of mindset. That is not what being part of the body of Christ is all about. I need teamwork.
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16, NLT)
I love the concept of the body of Christ. Nothing screams teamwork and cohesion with every part and system working together quite like the human body. It is imperative that every organ, tissue, muscle, and nerve work together correctly in order for the body to function according to its design.
And it’s no different in the body of Christ. We NEED each other. We are not independent, and we aren’t supposed to be.
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,’ would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’
In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-26, NLT)
Living the Christian life is like putting that Lego set together for our little friend. It is impossible by ourselves. We need teamwork. We need God’s grace, but we also need each other. The interconnectedness we need is just the way God designed it to be. He doesn’t intend for us to walk alone, but with brothers and sisters – each one doing their part to ensure “that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25, NLT)
This is just one of many of the “one anothers” in Scripture. There are way too many for one blog post, but these two are good ones to ponder for the week. Motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Encourage one another. We need teamwork.
“How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.” (Psalm 133, NLT)
What a promise, right? The heading for that psalm says “a song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.” We are pilgrims here just passing through to the New Jerusalem. When we learn how to live and walk together in harmony, the Lord pronounces His blessing (or as another version says, “there the Lord commanded His blessing”).
Let’s remember this week that we aren’t in this alone. When the challenge in front of us is insurmountable, let’s reach out to a brother or sister for help. If we see a brother or sister with an insurmountable challenge in front of them, let’s reach out and encourage them. We need teamwork!
Dear Father, thank You for your perfect design not only of our physical bodies, but also of the body of Christ. Thank You that You haven’t asked us to do this Christian life alone, but that You have surrounded us with brothers and sisters who can help carry the load. Please help us this week to remember that we need each other, and help us to walk together in harmony. Give us Your grace to do what You’ve called us to do so that the whole body can be healthy and growing and full of love. Amen.
-Dana
Two Sisters. One Amazing Savior. 