Celebrating Gifts Given: Others Help Us Grow

I’m going to quote nearly this entire passage from 2nd Corinthians 5 for you. As I do, I want you to keep an eye out for the word that keeps repeating. Got that? Okay, here we go:

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened – not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are far away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (verses 1-8).

There’s one word that is in almost every sentence I just quoted, and that is the word “we.” Not what you were expecting, was it? It may not be as long or interesting as some of the other words, but it’s an important one. Let me explain why.

We don’t grow in a vacuum. No matter what we’re doing or what’s going on in our lives, we are encouraged by those around us who are also growing. It can be difficult for us to understand Scripture. It can be difficult for us to interpret what we think God is saying to us. It can be difficult for us to even put one foot in front of the other, some days. But as long as we are not alone, we can do it. Certainly we always have God with us. But it’s good to know that we have others by our side as well. Today, thank the people who have been your “we.”