This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Nashville and lead the worship gatherings at David Lipscomb University. The journey was made even sweeter with my wife and children by my side. And better still my father, mother and sister from Georgia came to share in the moment. It has been one of the highlights of my life in ministry and it’s all due to one thing: togetherness.
There was great singing, fellowship, shared meals and reminiscing in Nashville, but every one of these things was enhanced because I shared these moments with family and fellow believers in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Thinking back on my life, the moments I remember fondest are almost all about my experiences growing up in The Church. Whether the occasion was a picnic, softball game, men’s retreat or youth conferences, times spent with my brothers and sisters in Christ have been some of the highlights of my life. Lipscomb University’s Summer Celebration is another one of those moments I will cherish.
By definition Jesus made us a called out and called together people. From the very beginning, the roots of Christianity have been about the fellowship that comes from doing life together. Jesus, our master, demonstrates this best in the calling of the twelve. The community of Jesus followers began in a very humble way – a guy here, a couple of ladies there and the next thing you know, He had a motley crüe of followers. And He didn’t stop there. He continues to call others to the work building a community that serves as the living witness of a kingdom way of life. Jesus demonstrates for us that a life worth living is a life of sharing, caring and service.
Jesus teaches us that life is best when we do it together. What good would it do to have millions of dollars and no one to share with? Or what about poetry or song? The power and passion of love would mean precious little if there were no one to shower with our affection. What good is knowledge, food and drink or even a lovely sunset if there were no one to share in their delights. I contend that even the worst things and the toughest moments of life are more tolerable when we have a friend to share the load. I say these things not simply from my point of view as an extrovert, because the Bible also teaches that together is better. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:
“Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
And again in Galatians 6 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
One of my favorite musicians, Jack Johnson, pens it like this:
“Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here?
And where do we go?
And how come it’s so hard?It’s not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing,
it’s always better when we’re together.”
Amen, Jack! The kingdom of God is intrinsically about together. Jesus proclaims that He has prepared a place for us. God wants to share all He has with you. The ultimate expression of this togetherness will be on the day that he gathers us together with all the saints who have gone before. God so believes in together that He’s calling each of us to live lives of love and service now, bringing more souls to embrace the truth about Jesus the Nazarene. As we come together, connecting and growing in God-honoring communities, we just might hear the affirming words of Jesus say, “[We] are not far from the Kingdom of God”.
