I have been musing on the variety of comments written in the visitors’ book at church from last weekend and also in cards sent to us. Many people have commented on the ‘great atmosphere’ and ‘friendly church’, quoting Psalm 133:1 TNIV which is always a blessing because as a church we are well aware of the need for unity and are blessed by the good relationships we share.
Ps 92:12-15 TNIV was also quoted: ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”’ (with a disclaimer that this was not meant to imply anyone at church is getting old!) We certainly want to flourish and grow and bear fruit, so this was a very encouraging word to receive.
In a card, however, the word given to us as a church was ‘Synergy’, defined as‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.’ The full definition is ‘the interaction or cooperation of two or more organisations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.’ This is very much a word I identify with, for over the past few months, I have felt that God’s word to the church is that it will ‘punch above its weight.’ I have no idea how this will happen or what God will do to achieve this, but it is worth meditating on. The card goes on to say ‘You obviously have that relationally but also spiritually and its impact is potentially great. One shall chase a thousand but two will chase ten thousand – not just addition, but multiplication.’ (a reference to Deut 32:30 TNIV, with similar views expressed in Lev 26:28 TNIV and in a blog post dating from June 2010.)
We look forward to seeing how God will fulfil these words to us!