The Gift of One Another

The Redwoods are a spectacular sight.  If you’ve driven down Highway 101 from the Oregon coast down into California—you can’t miss them. Redwood trees grow to be over 300 feet high and up to 20 feet wide. Many of the trees, scientists say, have grown to be over 2,500 years old. THAT is a mighty tree!

Have you noticed they tend to grow in clusters?  It’s due to their shallow root system. They extend over 100 feet from the base, intertwining with the roots of other redwoods. This increases their stability during strong winds and floods. It’s their intertwining with one another’s root system that is their source of strength and helps keep them standing.

They need one another.

The two word phrase “one another” is mentioned nearly 50 times just in the New Testament alone.

Love one another. Be devoted to one another.  Encourage one another. Pray for one another. Live in harmony with one another. Serve one another. Be kind and compassionate to one another. Forgive one another. Be patient with one another. Do whatever it takes to live in peace with one another.

Just to name a few. We need one another.

Paul says in Romans 12:5, (Romans, one of the chewiest books of the Bible). Talking about the body of Christ, he explains, “We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (NLT). Those of us who feel we don’t belong; THIS is our verse. We all belong to each other. YOU belong!

Yet, how many of us disqualify ourselves, thinking, “What do I have to offer?” How can I?  So goes the list of doubt and hesitation.  Don’t disqualify yourself from impacting others for Jesus.

I liken it to opening a cupboard full of miss-matched mugs. Each one holds a special memory.  Each one is unique.  Unique in material, shape, size, pattern and color.

Recently I spoke to a fun group of women*. Prior to the meeting I handed out a few mugs to some gals who sat scattered throughout the room (and gave them a lil instruction).

As a group of about 80 women, we shared how we each can resemble a mug:

One gal stood, sharing her mug, it was lacey pink and pretty, but it was stained on the inside. Another stood proudly showing off her dainty floral China cup and saucer set (with great enthusiasm). Then quietly, a big thick, bulky wide handle shared, raising her eyes to the China set, “I’m not as pretty as her.”  We had a clear mug who was too transparent that often got herself in trouble. One had a very busy detailed print; she was just too BUSY! Another was older and faded, which frequently gets overlooked or kept in the corner.  There was even a paper coffee cup, she felt disposable and easily replaced. There was one who had evidence of being broken with glued ribbings across the fragmented edges.

What do ALL these have in common? (Yes, even the paper cup). It wasn’t the material they’re made of, or the color, or the shape. The commonality? They are ALL designed to hold what is put inside them. Their purpose is to be poured into, hold and pour out its contents. Then—repeat. What a wonderful cycle.

WE belong to this community of miss-matched mugs. We are designed to hold the Holy Spirit! We are designed to hold and pour out.  Regardless of appearance. If you get frustrated with the miss-match and prefer uniform, it’s okay—remember the design purpose. What a beautiful purpose. We all belong to the same crazy cupboard we call the church.

Here’s where the redwoods come in. They need one another. It’s in OUR DNA as well—to need each other. ​Can you imagine what it would be like to have a younger tree rooted next to a mature tree. WOW! We are strengthened when we intertwine with others (and pour out) prayer, serving, devotion, patience, kindness, compassion and encouragement. To encourage means to give courage. What a gift! The whole list of “one another” is a source of strength the Holy Spirit uses, using us (using YOU) to help heal the stained pain inside, pride, insecurity, loneliness and brokenness in others. He uses us to help strengthen one another when the storms and floods come (& they will) and help keep us standing. In our helping (intertwining) we too are strengthened. Aren’t we a fun, creative purpose filled cupboard!

May we give the gift of “one another.”

I bet you don’t look at your cupboard the same again, may it be a reminder that YOU are a unique container for the Holy Spirit! Get filled up, cherish the hold and then get pouring!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

*The excerpt above I shared at East River Fellowship in Hillsboro, Oregon.  If you’re in the area on a weekend, stop in and join a worship service. They are a great cupboard.