Jesus + 1]

5. January 2007 by David Alexander.

When did the individualistic trend commence? It hasn’t really always been so evident. At what point did the army go from “be all you can be in the army” to “an army of one”? When did Dr. Pepper change from “I’m a pepper you’re a pepper, wouldn’t you like to be a pepper too” to “Be you, do what you do, drink dr. pepper?” Microsoft is not “you are the success story. And you used Microsoft office to get there” In the 2k6 world cup, Adidas has a great ad “Jose +1]”

Was it not Paul in Romans 12 that says “…, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. “Romans 12:3 (HCSB) [emphasis added by yours truly]
I suppose at one time or another we all have talents, gifts, and accomplishments that we could boast of. But it seems that individualism which has led to turfism has gone into overdrive. It amuses me whenever certain people carry on conversations and all that seems to be happening in the world started with them or has something to do with them. I would consider myself to have had as much opportunity and be gifted with as much talent or more than the average person. But as Mr. Limbaugh might quote it is “talent on loan from God”. As God has put the many different puzzle pieces (opportunity, ancestry, environment, culture, talent, personality) together to form who I am. Even greater still, is the realization that while I am a work in progress, I am also a piece of a greater puzzle that God has put together. I cannot function, nor can God accomplish His ministry through me, unless I team together with the other pieces around me.

In missional life, this means that I cannot exist void of the other Kingdom pieces. Although I could do good enough by myself, that is not satisfactory. Each member of the winning team fulfills their part with synergistic expertise. If my piece serves to add a little multicultural postmodern diversity to the whole so that together we can refrain from obsolescence, then I have served my function well.

All through God’s Word are examples of people who lived faithfully their whole life so God could use them for one or two significant events. Their are also plenty of examples of people that God used their entire lives toward a significant purpose. However, be it for one event or for a lifetime, each person in Kingdom history was and is just a part of the story that God is drafting to complete His purpose. IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!

Yes we are individual parts, but we are part of the whole and cannot function independently of each other.
May it never be David+1] or Localtown Baptist Church+1], but may it be Jesus+all of His disciples]

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