We Are a Family
Have you ever experienced a time when you realized that the words coming out of your mouth were the exact same words that your parents spoke to you as a youth? Do you remember exactly where you were and what you were saying? For many of us it’s a trigger, causing us to think, “Oh my! I’m becoming my parent!” It can be a shockingly memorable moment.
All of us have memories of repetitive parental lectures; statements that caused the younger versions of ourselves to roll our eyes. Maybe you’re even rolling your eyes now recalling those memories! My dreaded lecture typically came when doing chores. My mom would go on and on about family and how we had to work together. I can still picture the laundry basket at my feet while hearing her say, “We are a family!” (Love you, Mom! I know you’re reading!)
Fast forward to one recent morning. My boys were incessantly picking on each other as they were getting ready for school. They went out of their way to demonstrate that they were not going to help the other in any way, shape, or form. This caused the boys to run late and they nearly missed the “bus” (our latest departure time). If they miss the “bus”, they get left behind and have to call Dad at work. No one wants to call Dad with that news! To give you an idea of how bad this morning was, the boys were frantically getting dressed and packing their things as we drove. They didn’t miss the bus, but they weren’t ready when we left. It was a panicked rush of a departure.
Now that you know some of my history, I bet you can’t guess what I talked about on the way to school. That’s right: family. I admit, I had to put a new spin on it. However, the words “we are a family” did come out of my mouth. I said that as a family, we are a team. We have to work together to ensure each other’s individual success and success as a family. We need to look out for one another and pay attention to each other’s needs. If you’re getting an ice pack for your lunchbox, grab one for your brother too.
Two weeks ago, I wrote “What Is That to You” which is about personal responsibility. This is the starting point of our picture. Now let’s zoom out and view the big picture. I have found that my richest Biblical insights typically come from looking up cross-references in their contexts. I experienced a complete mindset change after I cross-referenced “inheritance” while studying Colossians. Can you pick up a theme in the following verses?
Colossians 1:12 – and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Acts 20:32b – …and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Ephesians 1:14 – …guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession…
Romans 8:17 – Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Is it about us, individually? No! Our immediate view is personal accountability; our choices and responsibilities. Now step back and look at the setting and framework. The big picture is the body of Christ, all believers, God’s holy people, throughout time, across nations, one cohesive body. It’s about family. We are in this together.
I was at a conference this weekend featuring Lois Tverberg. She has written several wonderful books. Lois had a meaningful way of stating this truth, so I’m grateful that the Spirit postponed me one week in writing this post. She shared, think of “me” in terms of “we.”
Lois shared an insightful illustration replacing several Biblical instances of “you” with her name. For example, Matthew 5:14 – Lois is the light of the world. Yes, it’s somewhat true, but it loses its power when not considered in light of the big picture. It’s not about us individually. It’s about family, the family of God. We will spend eternity together, and guess what? Eternity starts now, not when we die. We need to work together and look out for one another now.
How do we apply this concept in our lives? Evaluate if you are in community with other believers. Are you sharing your life and being involved in the lives of others? Consider how your actions might affect the family of God. Reflect on your attitude towards other believers. Does it tend to be negative or are you lending a helping hand? Act on what you find.
Scripture for this week:
Galatians 6:1-10
I Thessalonians 4:9-12
I Peter 2:4-5, 9-17
I Peter 5:6-11
I’d love it if you are able to take a moment to share a thought with me!
Heather this us the scripture I was thinking of when i spoke with you at church this morning. It is Romans 8:29 For God knew his People in advance, and he chose them to become like his son, so that his son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Thank you so much for sharing so everyone can read! I could read that over and over (and have). I love that 1) He knew us before, 2) we become like Jesus, and 3) MANY brothers and sisters. We have a BIG family!
We really do rob Christianity of the power of the Father redeeming and reconciling “all” things to himself through Christ when we strip salvation to what is this for me. There is such a truth in the thought that when we get there we all get there together – one body.
So true! That reminds me of Isaiah 49:6 – It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
It’s not just for us, our nation, or even our time. He’s so much bigger than that. His redemption reaches to the ends of the earth through the ends of time to make one holy people. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed thinking on this over the past day.
I was reading this blog several of times & cross referencing when my granddaughter, who was in my room looking at pictures from my grandma’s old bible, asked me what is the 11th commandment. I told her no honey there are only 10! Thinking she knows this! I looked at where she was pointing & at the bottom it said 11th Commandment, John 13:34. So looked it up. Before Christ’s crucifixion he told his disciples “I give you this new commandment Love one another as I have loved you! I looked at Marley & said thank you Lord for our children! We are always to treat & love everyone as Christ has always loved us. I believe that everyone has a story & everyone has a right to tell their story we need to listen.
.we are all one under Christ as each of us have been adopted into his family.
Love the cross-referencing! How fun! What a precious moment. But, what I find so deeply meaningful from what you shared is this: LISTEN. You could have written her off thinking she’s too young, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. But you DIDN’T. You LISTENED. In Christ’s body there are no barriers, no segregation, no groups, no superiority. Every believer has the Spirit of God in them. The Spirit works in each one of us differently. Therefore, listen to each other and SHARE with one another. Only then will we receive a more complete picture of who God is! Thank you for sharing, Susan!
Great thoughts. It almost takes a little pressure off the individual. Also you (with the help of the Holy Spirit) are the light of the world.
Good point. It does, doesn’t it? I was just reading Mark 13:34 today. Jesus said, “It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.” We don’t keep up the entire household all by ourselves. We each have our own tasks, but our tasks are all focused on keeping up the Master’s house. Little picture/big picture. I love how you tied in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is indeed our illumination! Thank you so much for sharing!