You are not alone.
“Two are better than one… If one falls down, his friend can help him up.” – Eccl 4:9-10 (NIV)
In another post (Walking with Christ: no mountain too big) I mentioned how support from friends is invaluable in our walk with Christ. And current circumstances have highlighted this once again.
It’s only because of support from my Life Group and others in the church body that I’m able to navigate some difficult stuff right now. And it got me thinking about unity…
We’re not meant to do life alone.
God designed us for fellowship, friendship and generally being there for one another. As it says in Hebrews 10: 24-25 (NIV):
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on… Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…”
Have you heard of the wood-wide-web? (Stay with me… It is related…)
In forests there are huge fungal networks underground which trees rely on for survival. A network of hyphae (fungal threads) pervade the trees’ roots allowing them to “talk” to one another. If an individual tree is attacked it can send chemical messages far across the forest warning it’s neighbours of danger. And before other trees are struck, they can raise their own defences.
That’s how a forest thrives.
What you see at the surface is only a small part of the picture. The fruiting bodies of fungi (mushrooms) are a tiny part of a massive and intricately developed survival system. It’s what you don’t see that matters most.
And that’s what it’s like in the body of Christ – the church. We do life together, relationships grow and you flourish as a result.
While you may have delicious meals, a laugh and a joke in life groups. While you may do stuff together with other church members, actually, the body of Christ is so much more than that.
With Jesus at the centre of our relationships we can all receive the deep love and care that God so desperately wants for us.
God will comfort you because He has compassion on you. Like the whole heavens and earth you will be able to shout for joy and sing (Is 49:13, NIV).
There’s no doubt about it. We’re stronger together 💪
And with that thought, I’m off to eat mushroom and walnut ragu. Yum!
God bless xx