When Push Comes to Shove

“Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it.” Joni Eareckson Tada

Walking past the construction site of a new 14-story apartment complex I thought, “I’d never live there!” The massive pillars, essential to support the enormous weight of the building, were not square to the ground.They arose at various, inconsistent angles, at times conflicting with other columns. A wiser, experienced friend explained that the supports situated at various angles actually strengthen the structure. The opposing forces provided a stabilizing effect as piling strained against piling; the contradictory pressures counterbalanced one another. Each column contributed to the massive structure, but in its own unique way. If all the supports were placed uniformly, the slightest quiver could twist and demolish the entire structure. God’s construction process demands diversity as well. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) God is building His Church. He is using many people with unique gifts and slightly different perspectives to strengthen and stabilize the entire process. Be gracious. We can do together what none of us could do alone.