Gale and I dry a lot of our clothes outside on the clothesline.  We have a dryer, but when the weather permits, we do it the old fashioned way with the free heat provided by the sun above.  The truth is, line drying probably does not save us a fortune, but we still like doing it that way.

One day when Gale and I were both off work we had the joy of hanging out the freshly washed clothes together.  As we talked while we worked, she stated what I had been thinking:  “Boy, this goes a lot faster with both of us doing it!”  By 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). 

As the recovery continues from the hurricane that devastated our area a few days ago, it has been amazing how people have worked together to serve others.  Churches and other groups have joined hands and hearts to accomplish far more than they could have done if they had chosen to work independently instead of together.    

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 pick 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.  Remember Miss Gales’ words: “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.