Devotional for Sunday, April 26, 2009.
John 17:20b-21a - I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:24b-25 - But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (NIV)
Recently, I heard the story of a son who took his mother and several others out for dinner to celebrate his mother's birthday. On the way, along the busy highway, they passed many huge tractor-trailer trucks, and, since the son had spent all of his working life in that business, he was able to answer many of my questions about these "highway monsters". As they passed one of these, a large flatbed truck with only three or four steel barrels fastened upright on its deck, he asked if they had noticed the way they were fastened. He pointed out that they were fastened with wide fiber bands. One might have expected that this would have been the time for heavy chains, but he told them that the fiber bands were much more reliable. A chain, no matter how strong, is only as strong as the weakest link. If one goes, so goes the whole load. The fiber band, on the other hand, is made up of many weaker fibers all bound together as one -- and will hardly ever give way.
How like the body of Christ! If we depend on one or two strong individuals, we can be disappointed. If we all share the load and pull together as with one mind, our strength will be phenomenal! No wonder Jesus prayed for all of us to be one. Of course, He knew it would be so much more enjoyable, working together in fellowship as well.
Daddy, we rejoice that You have bound us together in the worldwide family of sisters and brothers in Christ! Make us always mindful of those linked with us in the great task of bringing Your love to the world. Keep us strong for the trials, which we will face in Your strength. Amen.
Blessings,
Jody Hinkle
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