Life Together

“Do what you need to do,” he said. “Don’t worry about things here at the office. Your team can handle things. We can’t do much about the illness you are facing, but we can and we will support you working from home as you need to. We are praying.”

This kindness brought me to my knees in gratitude for God’s provision and for His weaving the thread of my life in with those of such precious people. My co-workers. Bless them, Lord, for their love, generosity and care, and return it to them in good measure, as they all carry their own unique life burdens.

The bond forged in laboring together represents a Kingdom principle. God’s design of a thriving community, in which people work with each other and for each other to produce, to grow and to serve a purpose beyond themselves. A place where each one is developed and equipped, and where each one is valued for who they are not just what they do.

As my husband and I languished in the effects of a raging virus this last week and tried to soldier on in our respective job duties, I found myself struggling to retain a sense of value as day after day I had to relinquish hours of productivity. So, when my supervisor called to relieve my concerns, it served to remind me of a heavenly truth: being comes before doing. “Abide in Me,” Jesus said. “For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

Jesus is my source of life, and the life He bestows will ever create and restore. When I stay with Him, His love courses through me and bursts out of me.  “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  (John 7:38 ESV)

I may not always be able to sit in meetings, parse spreadsheets, or craft presentations, but I will always be a conduit of God’s love. I have prayed for my team, this week, that they would know the boundless energy of His Spirit, that they would feel their hearts encouraged to carry on, and that they would enjoy the fruit of their labor. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16b NKJV)

“I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run! —on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”

“You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness….We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” (Excerpts from Ephesians 4:1-16 The Message)

Until next week, beloved, abide in Him and become robust in love.