“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17
One of the Ministries at our Church is what we call “The Corner.” Every Wednesday and Friday, from 9 to 10am, a group of us gather together at the corner of U.S. 41 and Laurel Road to hold up ‘Jesus Signs.’ Having been led to proclaim ‘The Gospel’ to our world, the signs are Bible verses and sayings that spread the Good News of Christ’s love to passers-by. Along the way, we have found some VERY interesting things. Literally!
In our little area, there is no place more busy. As people go about their day, ‘The Corner’ usually catches MOST of them along the way. And wherever there are people, there is stuff! Walking along the roadway, with eyes focused, turns up lots of it. We’ve seen garbage, tools, car parts and even a set of silverware! But the other day, what I found had me scratching my head!
I’ve found plenty of bolts, nuts, screws and nails on the street. But finding a ‘lock washer’ on the ground sparked a spiritual thought I just couldn’t shake. When that happens, I get the hint that God is trying to tell me something. So I try to pay attention.
‘Lock washers are designed to be tightened to a required torque beneath an ordinary fastener. They exert a spring tension that keeps the fastener from vibrating loose. They are often attached to the nut side of the fastener.’ That is the OFFICIAL definition anyway. To simplify it in my head, they simply lock and hold nuts and bolts together. Which begs the question…what was this particular lock washer doing… lying there all by itself? It’s entire purpose had been thwarted!
The Bible clearly says that ‘The Church’ is ‘The Body of Christ.’ This verse today gets more specific as to what Christ’s job and position really is. He not only CREATED all things, He HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER! Which leaves me, eerily, scratching my head with questions. If that is the Son of God’s job, what’s He seemingly doing ‘over there’ all by Himself?
It is no secret that ‘The Church’ has been under attack, from the evil one, since its inception. Jesus even warned that CHURCH is where the battlefield would exist! As times quickly change and we see churches folding in record numbers, it seems that the attacks are now becoming personal! No longer THE CHURCH in general…but now THAT CHURCH in particular! Maybe this is where the lesson of the lock washer needs to be applied.
‘THE’ isolated lock washer that is supposed to hold all of us nuts together, must be APPLIED before HE can be effective! Just lying on the ground as people pass by does NOT absolve people from THEIR responsibility of discovering, applying and locking down the very thing that Christ promised us only HE could provide. Grace, unity, strength, wisdom, love, peace, mission… and a WHOLE bunch of other blessings many of us, sadly, don’t even understand!
Are YOU an isolated nut in need of a lock-down? Get Jesus!
