Together part 2
This is all I'm trying to say in this Rant series: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:5). We're all in this together. We're different--and that's a good thing. Because while there are some things I can't do, those might just be the very things that you can. And then, together, we can do it all. Its not good that man should be alone, because we are better together. If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. I always say, "I can do anything... but I can't do everything." Which is to say, I try to take things one thing at a time. But, in reality, while the Bible DOES say we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us... I'm a man who knows my limits. I know there are things I am good at, and things I'm not good at. I know there are things I've been called to do, and things I haven't been called to do. So when I try to do those things that I haven't been called to do... it doesn't go very well. Sometimes I inadvertantly make things worse instead of better. Even though my intentions are good. (But you know what they say about good intentions, right? Something about the road to hell being paved on them?) What I ought to do is do what I CAN do to the best of my ability. Do your best and forget the rest. Because, look, if something is not for me to do and I try to do it anyway... chances are I'm robbing you of you being able to do your part. And that's a disservice to both of us. That means I'm doing your part poorly, and you don't get to do your part. None good. So instead of trying to pretend like we're not different, or trying to get people to be just like us, we should CELEBRATE each others' differences. We should get it into our heads that we are, every one, members one of another. We're all connected. Even if we're as different as could be. That's ok. That's a good thing. Its the differences that make things interesting. God doesn't want robots. Or clones. He wants individuality. I always call my son "Mini-me." Because in a lot of ways we're very similar. But in a lot of ways we're very different too. And I don't EVER try to squash that. He doesn't like my music. I don't like his. That's ok. Sometimes we listen to his, sometimes we listen to mine. Sometimes we find something, like the Beatles, that we DO both like. And while that commonality is special... its not something you can force. You have to let people be who they are. You have to live and let live. We can be connected without being identical. We're one body--the body of Christ--but we're all different parts of that body. And every part of that body is important. We are all, in our own ways, very important. So don't discount somebody just because they are different than you. We need to partake of one another. Celebrate one another. Because we are members one of another. We're all in this together. We need each other. And we need each other to BE each other. Don't try to be anybody. Not even Jesus. Let Jesus be Himself in you, and you will be yourself in Him!