Working Together

The Syrian peace talks look like they will start, though with no Iranians and few from the opposition side. As we know, there are several strands in the opposition side, and most of them cannot agree on how the future of Syria might look. The whole of the Middle East is in turmoil, and it doesn't look like getting clearer any time soon. 

But that same can be said about South Sudan and the Central African Republic, and many other places in the world.

It reminds me of the astonishing benefits we often enjoy, without knowing it, of collaboration between different communities in this country. We often complain about the way central or local government behaves, but the culture and framework of expected cooperation makes many aspects of life possible. We are used to people working together for the benefit of others, whether as volunteers, charities, or statutory bodies.

St. Paul had to remind the Christian communities in Corinth that they needed to learn how to work together with each other. 'The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptised into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.' (1 Corinthians 12.12, 13,27)

Our differences from one another in background, temperament, and experiences often make it difficult for people to appreciate and value one another. But St. Paul remind Christian people that we share so much, in our common faith in Jesus, that we can be helped, by his Spirit, to work together harmoniously, because each of us has a unique part to play.

The recent Joint Service (on Sunday evening) was a powerful reminder of how much Christians in Woking already do together. But our working together is rooted in a much deeper relationship that we enjoy, through our common faith in Christ. Today, I shall be looking at Christian friends, from whatever background, in a new light.

Best wishes,

Richard