Sunday, August 25, 2002
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Sunday, August 25, 2002 |
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Miracle at Quecreek shows need for one another
By DR. DAVID
L. CHANCEY In what the news media called "the miracle at Quecreek," nine miners trapped for three days 240 feet underground in a water-filled mine shaft decided early in their crisis that they were either going to live together or die together as a group. The cold water threatened to kill them slowly by hypothermia, so according to one news report, "when one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around the person and warm that person, and when another person got cold, the favor was returned." Miner Harry B. Mayhugh told reporters after the rescue, "everybody had strong moments, but any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That's the only way it could have been." They faced incredibly dangerous conditions together, and they all came out alive together. Pulling together and standing together greatly contributed to their survival. In our self-centered society, we sometimes forget how badly we need each other. Too often we're like the guy with the record for "longest time living in a tree." According to the Guiness Book of World Records, a man climbed a tree in Benkes, Indonesia in 1970 and has been there ever since. He lives in a nest he made from the branches and leaves of the trees. People have repeatedly tried to get him to come down, but he refuses. Maybe you haven't chosen to live in a tree, but have you withdrawn from others? Are you one who really doesn't want to fool with other people? Possibly because of past hurts, are you wary of others and have a hard time trusting other people? God created us to be relational people. He created us with a desire to have a relationship with Himself and intends for us to live in community with others. That's why God blesses us with family, friends and neighbors who support us and stand with us in life's happy and hard times. And that's why God desires us to plug into the body of Christ, the local church. The church family is where we connect with God and with other people. When we make a commitment to Christ by identifying with a local church, we are positioning ourselves not only for spiritual enrichment, but also for support. We don't have to face life alone. There are people out there who want to help and support you. They need you and you need them. This need for one another is emphasized throughout the New Testament. Have you ever noticed the over 50 "one another" statements and commands? For example: "Be at peace with one another" (Mark 9:50). "Love one another" (John 13:14). "Love each other" (John 15:12). "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love" (Romans 12:10). "Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10). "Stop passing judgement on one another" (Romans 14:13). "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you" (Romans 15:7). "Instruct one another" (Romans 15:14). "Have equal concern for each other" (I Corinthians 12:25). "Serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13). "Carry one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). "Be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2). "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another" (Ephesians 4:32). "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). "Do not lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9). "Bear with each other" (Colossians 3:13). "Admonish one another" (Colossians 3:16). "Encourage one another, and build each other up" (I Thessalonians 5:11). "Spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). "Do not slander one another" (James 4:11). "Don't grumble against each other" (James 5:9). "Confess your sins to each other" (James 5:16). "Pray for each other" (James 5:16). "Live in harmony with one another" (I Peter 1:22). "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling" (I Peter 4:9). "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another" (I Peter 5:5). "Love one another" (I John 3:11). Don't live in a tree and cut yourself off from others. Go out on a limb and initiate a relationship. Connect with a church in which you can connect with others. We need each other for support, love, acceptance and encouragement. (Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor of McDonough Road Baptist Church, 352 McDonough Road in Fayetteville. The church family invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.)
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