Better Together

“Better Together” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 1 Corinthians 1:10 Of all the things I could gaze at on my daily commute, I have been fixated on fences recently. That’s correct – fences! I have seen every type of fence imaginable: Big and small. Pretty and not-sopretty. Corner fences and white-picket fences. Farm fence. House and yard fence. Garden fence. Fences around schools and car lots. Fences with barbed wire. Fences with signs reading, “‘Warning-Dog Will Bite!’ One reading, ‘Warning-Owner Will Bite!’” Many “Keep Out” signs on fences. Fences with advertisements. Fences advertising fences. Fences that warn one they may be on camera. Even a fence around a fence. You get the picture, I’m sure. If I go on, I fear I will sound like Forrest Gump talking about all the different kinds of shrimp!! So, do you have a fence in your yard or somewhere on your property? Chances are you do. Possibly your neighbor has a fence as well. Maybe there is a fence dividing your properties. One thing is for certain: fences are typically placed to either keep someone or something out. Or in. Or both. Two fences caught my eye one day. I would slow each day to and from work to get a better look. It was even better when I would get stopped behind a bus and could really stare at them. Two houses side by side, each with their own fence similarly placed in the front yard. Similar, but upon closer inspection, very, very different. One house with a beautiful wood fence. It was erected in such a way that one would not be able to slide a toothpick between the boards. Each board appearing sturdy and perfect. Well maintained and definitely not neglected. It was impossible as well to see just what the fence was concealing. No gaps allowing a glimpse. House number two had a tall, steel, chain-link fence. The door chained and padlocked tight. The side and front of the fence that I could see on my way to work appeared stable and strong. Almost new looking. As well, a blue tarp lined the inside of the fence; and, like the neighbor’s fence, hid whatever was in the front yard. I recall thinking the wood fence was beautiful but could be easily broken into if one wanted. That chain-link fence though, although not as appealing, would keep anyone or anything in…or out. On my commute home one day, I took notice of the fences again. I slowed and eventually stopped as traffic backed up and found myself in front of the houses again, this time able to view the opposite side (funny how God does that….!). My eyes skimmed both fences quickly. That’s when I saw it — the small area on the chain-link fence that appeared to be missing a few links. A small section of fence appeared to be missing. To me, the hole stuck out like a sore thumb. The strong, solid fence was now compromised. Weakened in this area. Sure, the remainder of the fence could support it, I remember thinking…but for how long? The fence was now vulnerable. This fence was as strong only as its weakest link. The weakest link. For years a woman I worked with would remind us all that as an organization, we were only as strong as our weakest link. She would have us as groups do staff support exercises in an effort to recognize and support each other in our weak areas. All in hopes employees would step out of their comfort zones and lend a helping hand…avoiding the “that’s not my job” attitude. Of course, this took time and patience. Understanding and respect for each other. Definitely was not something that happened overnight. It became obvious this was something that needed attention daily for this to be a vision and not just a monthly group exercise. It meant everyone had to adjust. To sometimes give rather than take. We noticed small changes at first. When progress would backslide, it was usually due to becoming lax and indifferent. Failure to do something differently. Some balked at even the mere thought of trying to do things with a new fresh perspective — just trying! Even if only temporary! These in the group (sometimes it only took one) were identified as the weakest links. The ones that prevented growth and created division. Usually pride and a stubborn nature were to blame. Sadly, this can be seen in all areas of our lives. Division. The opposite of unity. Funny thing. One place I never saw a fence or wall, or divider of any kind. Churches. I pass a few on my way to work. I have been taking extra care to look. Other than parking curbs, I could not find any fences or walls. Thankfully! I am even saddened when I see closed doors at church services (weather permitting, of course). To me, I feel it lends to an uninviting atmosphere. If I’m out driving around and feel moved to stop in at a church service, I’m going to hit the one with the open-door feel! I want to hear that singing when I walk up! (Plus, it’s easier to slip in unnoticed if one doesn’t want extra attention. Or, if running late. haha). Other than a decorative or white picket fence, I cannot imagine the feeling of walking into a church that needed to be fenced in or had a wall. Or was divided in any way. Outside or in. Unity. The opposite of divided. We know too well that Satan is hard at work dividing. We see it everywhere. Our homes, families, marriages. Our schools. Government and country as a whole. And, yes, our churches. Churches may not have fences and walls on the outside, but certainly they exist on the inside, don’t they? An invisible fence, maybe? Visible to some and not others? Perhaps we try to look the other way. Churches cannot afford to look the other way anymore. In fact, we know too well what is happening. Our own Methodist conference is experiencing division. What would happen, let’s just say — if due to finances, etc., smaller churches need to explore “merging or uniting” to continue operating in the future? Can, and will, they survive on the inside? To do the will of God on the outside? In the community? Will people put aside their differences to fill up pews and sing louder together in harmony and unity? To continue in His work and will? Isn’t that what is REALLY important here? To work side by side. Does God really care about the location as long as the Holy Spirit is at work? Unity. dictionary.com defines the word “unity” as “the state of being one, or oneness. A whole or totality as combining all its parts into one. The state or fact of being united or combined into, as of the parts of a whole.- or ‘unification.’” Unity is the absence of diversity and the opposite of divided. Will Christians everywhere work together in identifying their barriers? Recognizing the “weakest links,” so to speak? Weakest links are not always people. As mentioned, pride and stubbornness. Also, selfishness, jealousy, disrespect, judgment, misinformation and miscommunication, to name just a few. Perhaps we can all take a few moments sometime and identify the weakest link within ourselves. What does God’s Word say about working together in peace and unity? 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, “We are God’s workers, working together; you are like God’s farm, God’s house.” 1 Corinthians 1:10, “I beg you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with each other and not split into groups. I beg that you be completely joined together by having the same kind of thinking and the same purpose.” Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” Psalm 133:1, “It is good and pleasant when God’s people live together in peace!” Romans 16:17, “Brothers and sisters, I ask you to look out for those who cause people to be against each other and who upset other people’s faith. They are against the true teaching you learned, so stay away from them.” The Bible is quite clear: we are to live with each other in peace and unity. One has to wonder though, does some division exist due to ownership and possession of the church? There is this misconception that the church belongs to the people. People become very possessive of the church they attend. I often hear, “This is my church,” or “This was my grandmother’s church,” etc. How wonderful it is to attend and carry on family traditions by attending the same church generation after generation. We can all relate to that! Understandably being able to do so keeps us feeling connected to those we’ve lost. That, in a way, we may feel their presence even. I agree — this is what is beautiful about our own churches. This thinking, however, that “people” own the church, can and will ultimately become the weakest link in many churches. This feeling of entitlement and ownership can create division and halt growth. So, who does the church belong to? We find the answer in Ephesians 1:21-23, “God has put Christ over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings, not only in this world but also in the next. God put everything under His power and made Him the head over everything for the church. Which is Christ’s body. The church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way.” The church does not belong to us. WE belong to the church, and the church belongs to Christ. The Bible has predicted division in every aspect of our lives. We must work harder than ever before. We must be vigilant. Churches now, more than ever, need to find better ways to unite before preaching “unity” to the comm-”unity.” The first step in identifying weak areas is to look within. Examining our own walls put up in our hearts and heads. Fences and walls have their place, but it’s not at church. And if we have any here, we better get to work. Mending some fences. Tearing down some walls. And building bridges. In doing so, we will be “better together.” Amen. They will know we are Christians by our love. Ephesians 4:27, “Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.” janet