Some might consider us old fashioned if they knew that Gale and I still dry a lot of our clothes outside on the clothesline.  We have an electric dryer, but when the weather permits and time allows, we take advantage of the free heat provided by the sun above.  I am sure that it does not save us a fortune, but we still like doing it that way.  The smell of fresh sun dried bed sheets is a most relaxing and enjoyable experience!

On one occasion while we were hanging out the freshly washed clothes together, she stated what I had been thinking:  “Boy, this goes a lot faster with both of us doing it!”  With both of us working together, it seemed like no time before we had a big washing hung out to dry.

God designed us in a beautiful way to work together in harmony, rather than existing like isolated islands.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 in the Old Testament gives several reminders of the importance of working together.  Verse 9 reminds us that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work” (New International Version).  It is wise to remember that working together in unity pays off in both the home and the church.

In the New Testament, the church is described as being like a body, with each part complimenting the other parts so that God’s work is done.  First Corinthians 12:12, 27 describes God’s Church in this way:  “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all the parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

As the Body of Christ, with each of us having some function or talent that goes into making the Church accomplish what Christ has called us to, it is essential that we do not waste our time and energy complaining about the abilities that we do not have; instead, we should focus on what God has entrusted us with as we use it with the awareness that whatever God has called and gifted us to do, it is important in His sight and essential to the healthy functioning of His Church.

Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us of how much we must depend on each other:  “If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Verse 10).  The thought continues to be developed with these words, “Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (verses 11-12).

There is much work to be done in God’s Kingdom, making it absolutely essential for us to work together as His people, regardless of the tag that we wear over the door of the church we choose to attend.  There is no doubt that there are differing opinions and special traditions among us, but we must not forget that there is but one Body of Christ. Those of us who are part of that Body through faith and surrender to Jesus Christ must work together for the common goal of leading souls to our one Lord.

We need each other.  Gale and I got a fresh realization of that as we worked together: “Boy, this goes a lot faster with both of us doing it!”  That is good wisdom, not only for hanging clothes on the clothesline, but for God’s people and His Church.