Ephesian 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
I recently purchased a small end table from a store here in Crane (shop local!:) that required some assembly. As I was putting it together, the assembly process spoke something to my heart regarding the body of Christ and how we go through a similar process when it comes to being first fitly joined and then compacted together so that every joint can supply their part.
In attaching the shelves of the table to the sides, screws and dowels had to be first placed in the pre-drilled holes of the one part and then placed into the same type of holes of the other part. I believe that we too, according to His plan; according to His will for our lives, already have in us pre-drilled holes that are carved out purposely, and sit empty and void, ready to be filled by other parts of His body – a void that we cannot fill alone, but is meant for connection to, by and from other members.
After completing this step the two parts of the table were now fitly joined together. By just looking at them, they looked completely and securely joined, but that of course was not the case. The slightest pressure would pull them apart. They were set in their designated places but they were not yet compacted together and secured. This next process took using what were called cam locks. Once these were set into the proper places and then tightened you could literally hear the click as the two separate pieces of wood locked together. They were now completely joined and connected to each other. Hard pressure and force could be used, one piece against the other, but they were not going to be separated. Now they were each ready to do their part because before that, the sides of the table could not stand on their own and the shelves could not be suspended in the air on their own! They came together in a joint, and at that joint was found the supply of their strength. Their function and contribution was not realized independently but joined together their individual and unique purpose could now be accomplished.
This entry was posted on Monday, February 19th, 2007 at 11:21 pm and is filed under Miscellaneous.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.