“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” Romans 15:5-6 ESV
First grade. My first school carnival. I stood bravely alone in a long line of laughing, chattering children, all eagerly waiting to enter the mouth of the tunnel. It was an engineering masterpiece of multi-sized cardboard boxes secured to one another with yards and yards of duct tape. Stretching down the hallway of Anderson Elementary School, the box tunnel featured bends and sharp turns that slowed its travelers and kept them on their toes—hands and knees, actually.
Finally, it was my turn to enter the tunnel. It was darker than I thought it would be. The duct tape sealed every seam, preventing light from seeping in. The moment my feet disappeared into the box, the next child in line entered the tunnel, blocking the small amount of light visible through the entrance opening.
We moved slowly but steadily through the dark cardboard tunnel, following the tennis shoes of the person in front of us. We could hear talking, laughing, shouts of greeting, and running feet outside of the tunnel. Inside, laughter and giggles were muffled, frequently punctuated by a loud “ouch” and “hey, watch it” when crawling travelers collided in the dark.
About mid-way through the tunnel, traffic came to a screeching halt. There was no forward movement. Unfortunately, the traffic behind me didn’t slow and pushed close against me. The line ahead of me did not budge. I tried pressing ahead, hoping to get things moving, but all I accomplished was allowing the person following me to squeeze tighter behind me. I was stuck.
My heart began to beat faster and faster. I couldn’t catch my breath. Panic set in, and I started yelling, “Let me out! Let me out!” I can’t remember all that I screamed – probably something like “I’m dying!” Still, there was no movement in the tunnel.
The noise in the hallway got louder as worried parents tried to identify the voice of the child who was screaming—and the child’s location in the tunnel.
As I tried unsuccessfully to push through the walls of my cardboard coffin, I heard my daddy’s voice and the sound of duct tape and cardboard being ripped and torn apart—finally, light. And fresh air—I gulped greedily as Daddy pulled me out of the cardboard deathtrap.
I watched as kids scrambled out of every opening of the ruined tunnel. I have no recollection of “guilt” or “sorrow” for the destruction caused by my claustrophobic panic attack. I remember being incredibly relieved and thankful to be out of the dark and into the light. I was no longer stuck—no longer trapped in the “cardboard tunnel of death.”
There have been other “stuck” episodes in my life, including an aging bed that tangled my waist-length hair in its ancient sharp-edged springs while I was hiding under it in a game of Hide-n-Seek gone bad, a tight dress that ensnared my head and upright arms, an almost lethal tanning bed encounter, and worst of all, a narrow one-way winding staircase in the upper level of the Statue of Liberty. All stories for other days.
Those situations had one thing in common, except for the tanning bed; I was stuck and could not free myself. I needed help to get “unstuck.”
Most Believers—true Christ-followers—understand and acknowledge that salvation is a “gift from God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8-9.) We know that we have done nothing to earn, purchase, or deserve salvation; it is wholly due to the sin-debt paid with the blood of Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection (I John 1:7-9). And we understand that we have been given a most Holy Helper, in the person of God’s Holy Spirit, who takes up residence in each believer at the moment of regeneration and begins a transforming work of sanctification that continues throughout our mortal lives (Romans 8:13-17).
True believers in Jesus Christ agree that these truths are fact. Whether believers grasp the full depth, impact, and implications of these truths is another story. That understanding grows as the Holy Spirit does His enlightening, empowering, and sanctifying work in each believer.
Many Christians miss the mark when they fall under the impression that outside of the Holy Trinity, each believer must stand on their own. Yes, we are held responsible for our choices and decisions. Yes, we will answer for our lives when we stand before God at the judgment seat. But we must not forget God has made us for Community, and He has made Community for us.
It is Community with purpose. As the family of God, our responsibilities toward each other include loving, serving, praying for, encouraging, growing together, teaching, and caring deeply for one another. We are to live in harmony and unity, exercising patience, generous hospitality, forgiveness, and spurring one another on to good works. This list doesn’t cover all that Scripture lays out as expectations for the Body of Christ – His Church – the Christian Community, but it offers a broad overview.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Helping one another in those difficult times of being “stuck” falls squarely under the umbrella of the purposes of the Christian Community. We are to be active participants in all aspects of our Community, using the gifts and talents that God has given us. We all have differing roles to play.
We will all have times when we will find ourselves “stuck” and in need of a helping hand, a word of advice, a listening ear, a loving hug, encouragement in the battles of life, a prayer partner, or the intercessory prayers of a faithful friend. We may need someone to roll up their sleeves, tear off the duck tape, break through the cardboard, and pull us back into the light of God’s love where His living breath will refresh and revitalize our spirit.
These are among the gifts of the Community that are ours in Christ Jesus IF we actively participate in the Community of Christ.
At other times, we are to be the helper. We are to serve the one who is “stuck.” All those loving gifts of service that we hope to receive in times of desperate need are the same gifts that we are privileged to offer to others when they find themselves “stuck.”
This Community is not just for our benefit. The ultimate goal is to bring glory to God our Father, build the Church established by and belonging to Jesus, and exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Are you actively participating in the Community of Christ? Do you have a church home that helps you to grow in your love for God and God’s people? Are you exercising the gifts that God has given you to build up and encourage other Believers?
Or are you “stuck” in need of help? In need of Community? Only you can find the Community – the Church – the body of Believers where God wants to grow you and use you.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:8-11 ESV