Ever played “Tug O’ War?” In this game a long thick rope is
placed across some kind of dividing line, ditch, body of water, whatever, so
that half the rope is on either side of the dividing territory. Two teams are
assembled and each mans one end of the rope. At a given signal, each team
begins trying to pull the opposing team across the line.
During my early school years, our play time often included a
contest of this type. There were usually about thirty kids in my class, so we’d
have fifteen kids on each team. Each side would end up with about four boys who
had already started their growth spurts. The stronger kids would be placed in
lead positions and in “anchor” spots at the end of the rope. Weaker members
would be sandwiched in between these mightier individuals.
The big guys at the front of the rope could anticipate and
prepare the team for the other side’s maneuvers and could best withstand the
initial forces tugging their team toward a loss. The other big guys at the rear
could dig in with all their might and prevent the team from losing ground even
when they were unable to gain any.
So what use were the little people in the middle? Even at
eighty pounds apiece, there were enough of us to add considerable strength to
our team. And combined with the brawnier team members, we became a powerful
force to reckon with.
A healthy church (corporate body of believers) works the
same way. The stronger Christians lead out and dig in, helping weaker
Christians to remain anchored in their faith. The mature children of God
surround the less mature believers, giving them an opportunity to be an active
part of the team – the corporate body of believers – while protecting them
until they’ve matured and become capable of taking anchoring or leading
positions themselves.
The day you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you
joined the team. What position are you filling today? Can your team members
depend on you? Are you giving your very best effort? The children of God are
daily embroiled in a tug o’ war with the forces of evil. Join with other
believers to encourage and intercede for one another.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a
part of it” (I Corinthians 12:27, NIV).
No comments:
Post a Comment