|
|
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 17, 2007 SYNERGY |
A daily |
Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, January 17, 2007 by Penny Risen
1 Corinthians 12: 14-27
“… But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor
to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every
part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you
is a part of it.” Verses 24-27
In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul explains how God’s combination of all souls and their gifts make for a wonderful world --- especially when we accept that we are members of the body of Christ. We can’t just pretend one part of God’s people doesn’t exist or doesn’t deserve care. We must leave our prejudices and selfishness behind, and instead show compassion for all in this spiritual journey.
We’re all connected and the sum is greater than the individual parts, Paul maintains. We must be willing to work together with our strengths and dreams, or in spite of our weaknesses and insecurities.
The analogy Paul uses about the parts of the body speaks simply to his new believers. But it must have been difficult for many of these 1st millennium folks to see beyond themselves, their extended families or their villages. Paul asks them to imagine themselves as part of a much bigger body of faithful, as one in Christ.
Today we take our “connectedness” for granted as citizens who are affected by a global economy and linked to worldwide communication avenues. If Paul were addressing new believers today, he’d perhaps use business and technology terms and refer to our own “synergy.”
“Brothers and sisters,” he might say: “As God’s workers we must act synergistically so different individuals, departments, or companies can work together and stimulate new ideas that result in greater productivity.” Paul’s optimistic examples about body parts working in harmony still may work better for you as a 21st Century audience, but stick with me for a minute.
One dictionary defines synergism (from the Greek
synergos, meaning working together or cooperation) as the phenomenon in which
two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect
greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the
individual agents.
This works well in medicine, science, economics, business, media, ecology, architecture, electronics, and music --- the benefits of application are seemingly endless.
The opposite of synergy is antagonism, the phenomenon where two agents in combination have an overall effect which is less than that predicted from their individual effects. Don’t antagonise your brothers, advises Paul: It’s not good for business or for your soul.
We can call on divine grace to make this new life in Christ work, Paul says. With God’s love and guidance, the rewards will be great. As each brother or sister suffers, he or she needs our empathy. But we also can share in each other’s victories and rejoice in the honor brought to all. We are required to act as one body, a body bound in God’s care and combined in His wisdom.
Experts point to the mid-17th Century for its word use origin, and later to the 1920s for its prominence as a business term. But why not view the New Testament as the birthplace of human synergy --- to God’s great glory.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, I know You command me to love and work in harmony with my brothers and sisters. Help me to appreciate each person as an individual, and not exclude him or her from Your fellowship. Amen.
|
|
All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
Visit the |
