Working Relationships

Scott and I just finished watching several episodes of one of those medical shows. You know, they show EMTs responding to the emergency, the trauma team fighting to save a life, and the surgery --oh, yes, the surgery! All of that sanitized blood and gore. You either love those shows or you can't bear to watch. Well, they also do these interviews, show "the human side" of these medical heroes: home life, work relationships. And, if you work outside the home, you know. Our work relationships can be some of the most important relationships we have. For instance, one episode showed a group of doctors and nurses planning a baby shower for a coworker. I know what it's like to receive that kind of love and support from people who, really, have no stake in the game, have no reason to care one way or another about your feelings or your milestones or your child for that matter! But here they were, validating another as a whole person --their life and the life of their family in such a tangible, selfless way. AMAZING!!! Another episode showed a man donating his kidney to a coworker --his kidney! Would you donate a body part you're certainly using to the guy in Finance? Would you go under the knife, risk infection, endure what could turn out to be great pain and a long recovery for the person you have begged --for months!-- not to heat up fish in the microwave? But here was this guy, splayed open to give his coworker a perfectly good organ. WOW!

Have you ever thought about the ways we are called together to work together for the Kingdom of God? First of all, we're told to love the Lord with all we've got --heart, soul, mind, and body. Secondly, we're commanded to love others. In Mark's Gospel, there's a little phrase between the two: the second, like it, is this, meaning the second command is as comprehensive and demanding as the first. In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells His disciples to love one another as He has loved them! He taught them, corrected them in love, showed them how to serve God and serve others; and He was about to demonstrate the ultimate love for others at the cross. 

Now, these stories we were watching didn't mention whether any of these folks had a personal relationship with Jesus or not. Judging by their selfless actions and tender mercies, I would think that, maybe, some of them did. Would someone be able to say the same should they observe my interactions with others at the market? at work? in our neighborhood? in my church? Do I acknowledge the image of God in each one? Would I put myself out so another might have a better day or, even, a better life? And would I work side-by-side with others, toiling and sacrificing with the same zeal as if I was the only one? As a follower of Jesus Christ, HOW MUCH MORE should I not only serve others, but serve with others to make sure God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven? From the very beginnings of humanity, God designed us to live in community --with Him, with one another. Even man's sin and the curse that followed would not draw God from His desire to commune with us. He made a way of reconciliation through His Son, Jesus, and gave us the word of reconciliation that we might, on His behalf, work and play and converse with others, making the love and hope in ourselves so appealing to others, they would seek reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ as well. That is our calling, to walk humbly with God and to seek to fill Heaven with those around us. Relationship is the work we have been given.