Moving Together
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
Galatians 6:2-3 (NIV)
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…
Acts 2:46 (NIV)
I was recently at a party for my father-in-law's 80th birthday. Several family members honored him as they took turns reading poems, telling stories and sharing with the group what he meant to them over the years. Don't get me wrong, there were 38 of us there, and it's not all been cookies and cream! Words have been said. Things have been done. None of our relationships have been flawless and without conflict. But as I looked around the room, it struck me the influence that not only he had in our lives, but also the impact we all had on each other. I stood there grateful for the extended family I was fortunate enough to marry into. Especially knowing that not everyone has had that same experience.
God said, it is not good for the man to be alone (Genesis 2:18a, NIV). Somehow, even before the fall, God knew Adam would be better off with another human being around him. This theme of relationship and community is one of the major threads throughout Scripture. God's blessing to Abraham was not just for him. He was to be a blessing to the nations. Jacob had sons, who turned into tribes, who later represented a nation. Jesus' prayer in John 17 is about experiencing union with God and with each other. Today's Scriptures also describe the beauty and power of community.
If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together.
African Proverb
Application: Pause, close your eyes, and think of one person you care about. Hopefully, someone came to mind! What's one way you can strengthen that relationship? Whose burden will you help carry? Let's move forward together.
Prayer: God, thank You for not only saving me from my sin but also giving me a place to belong. Thank You for never leaving me so I don't have to be alone. I know You've designed us to have healthy relationships. I pray You'll help us move forward together. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?