MEANT TO SERVE TOGETHER

MEANT TO SERVE TOGETHER

Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. —Exodus 18:17-18

            We are not meant to serve alone, to serve in isolation.  No, we are meant to serve together and encourage others to serve with us.  Moses was not only going to wear himself out, but he was going to wear out the people as well.  Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, said what he was doing was not good (Exodus 18:17) and gave Moses advice.  He said,

“The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” —Exodus 18:18-23

            Moses took his father-in-law’s advice as a Word from God as it agreed with what God would have him do.  We need to learn from this ourselves and not try to serve alone.  We were not meant to serve alone, but in teams.  The principle is clear—

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

            Jesus sent out His disciples in pairs (Matthew 10:1-20; Luke 10:1-16).  Paul served in teams.  He was rarely alone and when he was, he did not want to be.  Those in teams complement each other with their giftedness, their abilities, their practical life experiences and skills and with their personalities.  God has made us all different like pieces in a puzzle.  No puzzle piece was never meant to be alone, but part of a bigger picture.  So it is with us.  We are not meant to serve alone, but to serve with others to work toward a complete picture.  Yes, may we serve with others, Dear Father, as You have meant us to and do so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Dear Son.  May this be all to bring glory and honor to You.  Yes, may this be our highest goal— to honor You!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NJ545Jx1vQ