“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” -Romans 12:5
We were created to work together for God’s good purposes. That is a difficult truth for us to wrestle with. The world we live in often tells us that we are better by ourselves. We celebrate rugged individualism. We value individual achievement. However, God designed us to work with one another.
I recently watched a video that reminded me of how God calls us together, to make a difference in the world. This video was taken in the middle of a busy street in Berlin, Germany. Just before the video begins, a large commuter bus strikes an 18-year-old pedestrian. The young man was thrown under the bus and caught under the axel. It was a terrifying moment as people watched him become trapped and injured. Thankfully, the driver saw the young man and stopped the bus immediately.
A crowd began to gather and they knew the young man needed immediate medical attention. Without hesitation a few people began to try and lift the bus so that he could be pulled to safety. The only problem was that the large bus was too heavy. They could barely cause the bus to move. Others witnessed the attempt to lift the bus and they decided to help. They kept trying to lift the vehicle that had the young man trapped. Soon more and more people rushed to help. Over 40 people joined together to save a stranger. They were eventually able to lift and pull the young man to safety.
When the young man was freed from the axel of the bus, he was cared for by another group who had gathered to help. A surgeon and two nurses were walking by and waited to provide medical care until the paramedics could arrive. Thankfully, the young man will make a full recovery.
Each of us have been given unique gifts, talents, and passions to make a difference in our world. To truly bless others, we must remember that our gifts were designed to be used with others. God did not create us to work alone. Our faith is not intended to be solitary. We are the family of faith, brought together for the wonderful purpose of bringing hope and love to the world. Each person reading this is needed. Each of us were created with purpose. We belong together, because together we are Christ for the world.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
