Slideshow of 42 photos below
By Jamali Jack (Kingstown Church of Christ, SVG)
On a day (March 14) which is celebrated by Vincentians everywhere as National Heroes Day, Kingstown Church of Christ made use of the holiday to have its congregational workday for 2015. [PHOTOS BELOW] This workday is an opportunity for fellowship as well as major cleaning and other maintenance and renovation projects on the building and compound.
A heroic group of brethren, along with some of their families turned out to dig, wipe, wash, sweep, mop, scrub, drill, lift, push, haul, cut, trim, rake and shovel. Being mindful of sayings that involve warnings of "hungry [men]" and "all work and no play...", the group also made sure to cook, eat, mix, drink, sing, pray, laugh, run, jump, skip, chat and had a general wonderful time in each others' company.
As I reflect on the day's events, I cannot help but think about the many spiritual truths that come to mind from this mostly physical activity. As is often the case in His parables recorded in the pages of the New Testament, Jesus helped His listeners (and us by extension) to understand the spiritual meaning of His teachings by using earthly stories. The following is but a few passages that were illuminated as I observed.
On a day (March 14) which is celebrated by Vincentians everywhere as National Heroes Day, Kingstown Church of Christ made use of the holiday to have its congregational workday for 2015. [PHOTOS BELOW] This workday is an opportunity for fellowship as well as major cleaning and other maintenance and renovation projects on the building and compound.
A heroic group of brethren, along with some of their families turned out to dig, wipe, wash, sweep, mop, scrub, drill, lift, push, haul, cut, trim, rake and shovel. Being mindful of sayings that involve warnings of "hungry [men]" and "all work and no play...", the group also made sure to cook, eat, mix, drink, sing, pray, laugh, run, jump, skip, chat and had a general wonderful time in each others' company.
As I reflect on the day's events, I cannot help but think about the many spiritual truths that come to mind from this mostly physical activity. As is often the case in His parables recorded in the pages of the New Testament, Jesus helped His listeners (and us by extension) to understand the spiritual meaning of His teachings by using earthly stories. The following is but a few passages that were illuminated as I observed.
Ephesians 4:16 - From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
There is a saying, 'many hands make work light'. This could not have been made anymore clearer. Regardless our age, gender or even ability, the collective contributions of each individual makes not only the work easier, but the atmosphere more enjoyable. In the body of Christ, not every one has the same ability (Romans 12:4-8) but every person in some small way has a part to play. No one is indispensable and no one is unimportant (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts makes synergy true in both physical and spiritual realms.
I Corinthians 3:9 - For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
When everyone is working towards the same goal, there is hardly anything that cannot be accomplished. While this truth can also be abused in a negative way (Genesis 11:1-6) there is no mistaking that once we are actively engaged in the battle on the same team with God, our labour can never be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). An appreciation of this very simple point can help to alleviate the destructive impact of division and strife (Mark 3:24; Romans 16:17) when we understand there indeed is strength in unity (John 17:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6). The denominational philosophy that we can have competing and contradictory doctrines but still work to accomplish the same goal is as ludicrous as a four-sided triangle.
Luke 10:2 - Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
One of the unfortunate truth of just about any worthwhile activity is that most people will not be involved. If you do not believe this to be true, it might be wise to read passages like Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23 and take note of the characteristics and consequences of those who fall into the category of the 'many'. While there is strength in unity, there is not always strength in numbers. The majority is not always right, willing or able (Exodus 23:2). On a rather positive note, 2 Kings 6:8-16 reminds and comforts us in the understanding that little is much when God is in it.
