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Acts 2:42-48
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
In the earliest days of the church, right after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came among believers, the church was in a state of cooperation, passion, and growth. We’re told they sold all their possessions, took care of everyone in need, met daily, and added new believers constantly. The closest thing I can imagine to this kind of cooperation is the post-mission trip passion we see in groups after they serve. The people of the early church, who did everything together, cooperated, and were fully committed, probably wouldn’t recognize the compartmentalized nature of our lives and our churches today. But there is something exciting about those opportunities, however brief, where our whole church can come together for a common goal – whether sharing the gospel in word or in action. Those all-hands-on-deck type of events in our churches – VBS, mission trips, fall festivals, or even more somber occasions like funerals – can be times when we feel a much stronger sense of belonging and unity. They are times when the silos we all inevitably fall into can break down for a bit and we all work together for a common goal. There’s no question we value times when we can be with the people closest to our own stages in life, in our church and community, but God can do so much through us when we come together and are willing to learn from everyone else in the room. What opportunities are there that you can break through the traditional barriers and serve and learn with someone new?
Prayer:
God, help us to see the spaces where we can learn from one another. Help us to be open to what we can bring to the wider community and what we can learn from others in that community as well.