“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up... Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12)
“…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Jesus Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)
“We’re a team. We went in as a team and now we’re exiting as a team—and we’re going out with that gold that we needed to get back.” (Michael Phelps, after the men’s Olympic 4x100 freestyle relay)
It’s a good thing this isn’t an audio devotional, because I just about lost my voice screaming during the final leg of the men’s 4x100 freestyle relay last night. The U.S. team edged France for swimming gold thanks to a stunning anchor-leg comeback. And yet, as easy as it might be to focus on Jason Lezak’s finishing kick, it took all four swimmers performing at their peak to claim victory and shatter the world record. Each athlete was dependent on the three others. It’s the same in the body of Christ. I’m called to complete a key “leg” as a follower of Jesus, and so are you. None of us is more, or less, important than any other. And we are interdependent; we only function as God intends when we function united as essential parts of the “body of Christ.” It takes all of us, submitting to the Lord’s leadership, to bring glory to His name and to make a life-changing difference in those He has called us to serve.
Heavenly Father, in a world that often glorifies independence, isolation and self-attainment, thank you for a timely reminder that two are better than one. We are dependent on You first—as the strongest link in our “cord of three strands”—and also on one another. Lead me, by your Spirit, not only to do my work today but also to join with others in advancing Your kingdom of love and truth together. Amen.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Carnival, The Christ, and A Joyful Chorus
“[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’ ” (Mark 4:39-41)
This past Sunday morning—day three of a four-day cruise to Cozumel celebrating my parents-in-law’s 50th wedding anniversary—I walked out of the stateroom spiritually hungry and thirsty. In the midst of so much pleasure, aboard a ship aptly dubbed The Fantasy, I was eager for the reality of Christ-centered fellowship and a chance to praise the Master of the high seas...but aware that Carnival offered no such activity. Then I heard it. As I entered the ship’s grand atrium, a chorus of strong voices and piano rang out from a side room. It turned out that a large group of friends from West Monroe, Louisiana, had booked the room for a service. Welcomed in, my wife and I spent the next hour joining voice and heart in a powerful time of praise, prayer, and an encouraging message from the Scriptures about loving the Lord above all else. It didn’t matter that we’d never met, or that we happened to be the only “Caucasians” in the room, or that we probably would never see these brethren again. The spiritual bond was instantaneous, and we were reminded that there are no strangers in God’s kingdom! This hour proved to be one of the highlights of our vacation—a great gift from a gracious Father.
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ ” (Revelation 5:13)
Heavenly Father, Master of the land and of the sea, thank you for surprising us at times with opportunities to praise and exalt you, no matter where we find ourselves. Continue to receive our praise and gratitude as we seek to glorify Your name in all that we think, say and do. Amen.
This past Sunday morning—day three of a four-day cruise to Cozumel celebrating my parents-in-law’s 50th wedding anniversary—I walked out of the stateroom spiritually hungry and thirsty. In the midst of so much pleasure, aboard a ship aptly dubbed The Fantasy, I was eager for the reality of Christ-centered fellowship and a chance to praise the Master of the high seas...but aware that Carnival offered no such activity. Then I heard it. As I entered the ship’s grand atrium, a chorus of strong voices and piano rang out from a side room. It turned out that a large group of friends from West Monroe, Louisiana, had booked the room for a service. Welcomed in, my wife and I spent the next hour joining voice and heart in a powerful time of praise, prayer, and an encouraging message from the Scriptures about loving the Lord above all else. It didn’t matter that we’d never met, or that we happened to be the only “Caucasians” in the room, or that we probably would never see these brethren again. The spiritual bond was instantaneous, and we were reminded that there are no strangers in God’s kingdom! This hour proved to be one of the highlights of our vacation—a great gift from a gracious Father.
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ ” (Revelation 5:13)
Heavenly Father, Master of the land and of the sea, thank you for surprising us at times with opportunities to praise and exalt you, no matter where we find ourselves. Continue to receive our praise and gratitude as we seek to glorify Your name in all that we think, say and do. Amen.
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