Synergy

For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body--so also is Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:12 HCSB

On the Fourth of July holiday, American people will take off work, cookout hotdogs, hamburgers and barbecue ribs, celebrating our independence with family, friends, food, sparklers and fireworks ... likely rarely considering the history behind the holiday.

That being said there is a lesson from American history that applies to the Followers of Jesus.

Prior to July 4, 1776, there were only thirteen British colonies that existed as separate outposts of the British Empire. But when representatives of those thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, it was the first step toward becoming one nation instead of thirteen colonies. The founders recognized that there is strength in unity.

It’s called synergy: the strength of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The apostle Paul didn’t know American history, of course, but he recognized the synergy of the human body—individual organs and parts of the body working together to accomplish human goals no individual part could accomplish by itself. And he applied that lesson to the church. Each Christian is given gifts by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11) in order to build up and benefit the church as a whole (Ephesians 4:12).

What is your gift? What is your role?

We as a church and as a nation are only as strong as the participation of each of us using our talents, skills and abilities together in unity.

Synergy.

As we gather together and celebrate our freedom and our independence this weekend, I pray that we remember and begin to apply this lesson to our lives.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem