Dilbert and the Call of Christian Community, Part III

One of the most difficult times of my experience as a husband, dad and Jesus follower was when I had no idea of how it was going to turn out for my youngest son during a weekend just over two years ago. He had struggled for some time with difficult health problems related to his breathing. This particular week, with a major shift in the weather, he became so congested and was having so much trouble breathing that I had to hold a mask to his face in a pediatric intensive care room for nearly sixty hours that pumped medicine to help clear him up. I remember his doctor sharing deep concern over his condition. When one of the best pediatric pulmonary specialists in the country is concerned, you know it is serious. It was only after those hellish days he shared with me his pleasant surprise. You see, the doctor had not believed that my son would make it through the weekend. I can not express the joy that overflows in me when I now see him running and laughing and doing silly things that only a three year old can do.

The worst of the weekend was…being scared and feeling absolutely overwhelmed. Having to look at my wife and tell her that I was not sure I was going to be able to hold up under all the pressure. Knowing things were completely out of my control. Wrestling with how to make sense of my belief in my Sovereign Lord—while preparing to serve him in ministry—in light of my very ill little boy. (How I am thankful for a Scripture like Psalm 43:1-5 that reminds me I am not the first to feel the way I did.)

The best of that ordeal was…having trusted men and women from my church and around my home that had deep faith in our Lord to whom I could pour out my fears and inadequacies. Personally experiencing their petitions before the throne of grace to the One that invites us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. Having friends baby sit so Kathy and I could have a few moments to our selves over a cup of coffee after that fretful weekend.

Of this I am sure, had it not been for the deep fellowship of our church family and the believers among whom we lived in our seminary community, I am convinced I would have given up hope. I am not sure I would be serving as a pastor today. How I thank God that I did not have to bear that incredible burden alone.

In thinking on my experience, I saw my life and the practical concerns of Christian Community displayed powerfully in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Obviously, Solomon speaks of the benefit of having another with which to do life. How much more powerfully this passage is understood in light of what we are called to be and share as the body that gives ourselves away to the call of Jesus—living for his glory and the benefit of others.

Ecclesiastes is the “Preacher” (see 1:1) seeking to find the meaning of life after he has lived long and, supposedly, enjoyed all the earth has to offer. In chapter four, Solomon sets the context for this passage in the first eight verses by seeing “all the oppressions that are done under the sun” (4:1). He surmises that it is better to have never lived than to live oppressed with no help (4:1-3). Work and laziness are foolishness if you just work to overcome your neighbor (4:4), destroy yourself from idleness (4:5) or engage in the “unhappy business” of “depriving yourself of pleasure” when you have no one with which to share (4:8). It is a sad state of things when a believer is part of a church and ends up feeling alone and just like Solomon in the first eight verses of chapter four. No wonder people leave churches when they are unable to connect in meaningful and supporting ways to others that encourage them and allow them to encourage others. Such a circumstance stands vehemently opposed to our calling when the New Testament directs us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

No, after seeing the state of worldly affairs, the Preacher concludes that “two are better than one.” (4:9) Think of it this way: when we are part of a local congregation, we should be completely convinced that being invested there makes our lives better and our being there makes others better as well. Will it be perfect—No! But better? You better believe it and if that is not your frame of mind about your local congregation, then I would submit there is a battle to be fought. There is spiritually and practically too much at stake to just believe when we leave church that we could take it or leave it. I am called to make others better and others are called to do the same. That is Philippians 2:3-4 in action. That is what Paul says when we “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building” (Romans 10:19). Our living and worshiping together must guard itself mightily against being a burden and grief to one another. The end goal is to bear burdens for one another (Galatians 6:2).

The coming together of believers in local fellowship should provide greatly for the betterment of our work (4:9), the lifting up in our time of falling down (4:10), warmth in our togetherness (4:11) and guarding against being destroyed (4:12). Let me ask you this: do you ever go to church thinking it is your God-given call and responsibility to make sure that other believers in your gathering are helped, lifted up, kept warm and guarded by you? Who do you know right now, in your church, that is working hard alone? Then help them! Who do you know that has fallen down? Then help them up! Who do you know that needs the warmth of your encouragement and presence? Then come beside them! Who do you know that is about to be prevailed against? Then stand with them that they might withstand!

Let me suggest this: when a congregation fails in their practice of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, that church has lost much! Oh, there might still be a building. There may even be some people. But know this; they are not “a threefold cord [that] is not quickly broken.” Nothing, and I mean nothing, is a more powerful demonstration of the power and grace of God than a local gathering of Jesus followers radically loving and taking care of each other. When our communities see that at work they will know and become convinced—God is real and He is at work in that place!