Together: Purpose and Interdependence Part IV

Together.  Paul uses that word three times in one verse: “…through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6).

Later in this same chapter, Paul prays for the Ephesians.  What does he ask the Father on their (and our) behalf?

·       Oneness.

·       Strength and power through the Holy Spirit inside them/us.

·       Christ to dwell—to abide—in their/our hearts through faith.

·       To be “rooted and established in love”

·       To have power—TOGETHER “with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

·       To know this love that surpasses knowledge

·       To be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

  How? By trusting in the One who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”.

When togetherness is difficult, God is the One who can make us able. When we strain against interdependence, the Father is still deeply loving us and guiding us to embrace that which He has designed for our good and the good of others. We are meant to do life with others—as an organic, integrated, living whole, just like a body.  All parts matter.  Everything (everyone) contributing and working together.

And, now, when we can’t be physically together due to “shelter-at-home”, “safer-at-home”, “physical distancing or quarantine restrictions, we can still prioritize connecting with each other. So many options exist today—a simple phone call, a face-to-face connection using an online platform, a text message, a social media message directly to someone (not just a post!), a written note, a package…the list is long. When you feel tempted to just hunker down and isolate, be sure you don’t also virtually isolate from your fellow believers. Sign in to online worship options. Participate in that Zoom gathering of your small group.

When we ARE able to go back to gathering, prioritize togetherness and worship! That’s part of God’s plan for and instruction to us—for our own and our collective health.

Meditation:

·       Take a moment to pray this prayer for yourself.

·       Now, pray it for your church community.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

           Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

·       Notice where the power comes from.

  Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.