Many Hands
Working together is not always an easy thing to do. It is not uncommon to hear of ‘water cooler grumbling’ or of disgruntled volunteers or committees because people just don’t see eye to eye.
Have you ever watched two young children struggle over a toy? One pulls one way and the other pulls the other way. Eventually, one falls and the other walks away alone. Or, if mum or dad intervene, both lose.
Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Any time that we can work together to ease one another’s burdens, it is a good thing. It doesn’t have to be hulling strawberries. A simple phone call for encouragement or a note could be the bond of unity that rescues a tired mum from succumbing to the discouragements of a day.
Making the effort to work together for God’s glory is worth not having the last word or not being right or not being first or not being noticed or not being…
When God’s people are striving to work together for Him, he will bless their efforts.
2 Chronicles 30:12
Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.
Working together in unity does not mean that you have to agree on everything – although that certainly helps. Have you noticed though, that when you approach something with an attitude of unity, the solution is much more positive whether or not it was your idea?
For example, if mum and dad have differing ideas on something and both are determined to have their way a stalemate ensues that affects everyone. On the other hand, if mum and dad disagree on something but share the attitude of mutual goals and love then they will be able to work together to achieve the goals in the unity.
Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.