Thought for Today
Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner."
Genesis 11:31 Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram's wife, and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there.
Luke 9:1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
Galatians 6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
Synergism is one of my favorite ‘theological’ words. It is generally understood to describe the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It is not strictly a theological term, but I find it especially applicable to Paul’s term, “the family of faith.” Working together, people of faith can accomplish much more than any single one could accomplish alone. I thought about synergism yesterday as I wrote about our monthly shared luncheon. I thought about it again this morning as I read These Days.
The word ‘together’ appears between 300 – 400 times in the Bible. I have not done a true study of its use, but a quick review suggests that togetherness works for both good and evil. Regrettably, the reality of synergism is the same. Together we can work for good, do more good, advance the Kingdom of God more than any one of us could do alone. But, a brief review of human history suggests that together, evil people can perpetuate more evil than any one of them could do alone.
Most Christians have at some time in their lives been told, “I don’t need to sit in a church to worship God! I can worship God anywhere at any time, alone.” There is a limited truth in those words. Worship of God is not limited to a single hour on Sunday morning. Even the most faithful members of a family of faith, even the most active members of congregations have been moved to moments of worship when they (we) are alone. I cannot understand how anyone could stand at the top of a mountain, look at the wonder of God’s creation displayed all around, and fail to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the Creator. I feel the same about forests, rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, deserts and all the other displays we see around us of our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God.
So, do we need helpers? Do we need congregations? Do we need families of faith? As a minister, I feel silly even typing those questions. OF COURSE WE DO! The Prophet of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “4:12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Jesus tells us, “Matthew 18:19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Each of us is called to demonstrate our faith by the lives we live. Each of us has the potential to do great things in Jesus’ name. All Christians strive to do just that. But, there are some things which require combined effort. Many of us remember the Troubles in Ireland some years ago. Governments tried to stop the violence to no avail. Ultimately, the fragile peace today was forced on both sides by the combined efforts of those ‘helpers’ of Genesis 2:18. Mothers from both sides banded together and insisted that the violence and killing cease.
Every week our congregation, like most Christian congregations of all denominations, prays that hope-filled sentence from the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I believe those words describe the Kingdom of God. We obviously are not there yet. I believe that we are closer than our ancestors-in-the-faith were. But, I also remember Robert Frost’s words in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, “But I have promises to keep/And miles to go before I sleep.”
We’re not there yet. We do have miles to go before we sleep. But, we do not walk those miles alone. We do not struggle to do God’s will alone. Together we can reap the benefits of synergism, we can ourselves do God’s will and together we can bring it to fruition here on earth. “Psalm 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” TOGETHER!
Stay safe, be united in faith, trust God,
Pastor Ray