Togetherness

We have been having our main staircase at Glyndley Manor altered as part of the finishing work for our new lift. Two skilled carpenters had to adapt the existing pieces to make a new stair. However two newel posts (the big, chunky parts of the staircase that hold the handrails in place) had to be put in, complete with ornate carvings to match the existing ones. When we looked at the top of the posts we saw that they had actually been made up from smaller sections glued and joined together. The joiner informed us they were stronger with smaller pieces joined together than with one large piece of timber, as it would have split and twisted with age.

This made me think of the principle that God has been teaching us at Ellel Ministries recently about unity. When brothers and sisters live together in true unity, there is great strength and solidity, which is far more effective for Kingdom purposes than just one individual – however competent and well gifted he or she may be.

Unity means trusting others to do the job with us, or even instead of us at times. It means being one in purpose and intent. It means having the same heart together – being in alignment with God’s purposes for where we are. In laminated timber the grain of each piece must lie in the same direction so that the stresses upon it flow through evenly.

There are many extra demands being put on us in our local centres at the moment due to the current world economic situation, and also the overt enemy opposition to our ministry. The leaders and directors cannot carry all the load themselves. They need the support of the whole team at each location, standing together and working together. They also need the united fellowship of the many prayer supporters around the world standing together in strength.

Not only is it good and pleasant for believers to live together in unity, it is essential for us to be united in faith, vision and calling as we face the challenges of this season of difficulty and also Kingdom advance.

Prayer: Lord God, please forgive us if we’ve tried to do things on our own when we should have been working in unity with our brothers and sisters. Forgive us for presuming we’re competent to solve all the problems and carry the loads on our own shoulders. And forgive us if we’ve chosen not to get involved when You’ve called us to work together with others. Show us, we pray, the part we’re called to play in Your purposes in our location. Amen.