Together

“…called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬).

Like some of you, I am an introvert. While some people find themselves at home when surrounded by others, we introverts are most comfortable when we are alone. We feel closest to God when we are one-on-one with Him. It is then that we feel we can let down our guard and be ourselves. But God never called us to function as individuals; He called us to be “saints together”.

From the beginning God established that we should live in communion with others. “It is not good that the man should be alone” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬). He wasn’t saying that we need to be surrounded by others at all times, but He wanted us to come to the realization that we are stronger when we work together to accomplish those things which He has called us to do.

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (‭Romans‬ ‭12:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬). We each have certain giftings and strengths. Likewise, we all have areas of weakness. My strengths may be your weaknesses, just as my weaknesses may be your strengths. We complement each other. There are things that I cannot achieve on my own because of my weaknesses, but when my strengths are combined with the strengths of other believers, we can accomplish anything for Christ.

While there is nothing wrong with being introverted, because God created both the extrovert and the introvert, He purposed that we function together as one. The extrovert can learn from the introvert the value of solitude in growing in faith and deepening his or her relationship with the Father. And the introvert can learn the from the extrovert that people working together can achieve more.

The author of Hebrews tells us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV). Can you be a Christian all by yourself? Perhaps. But you will never live up to your potential without your brothers and sisters in Christ.