LET US WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON CAUSE

Dearly Beloved, LET US WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON CAUSE "So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered.... As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up... so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword" (Exodus 17:10-13 NIV). One of the fascinating and unforgettable experiences I had in my one-year-and-two-month sojourn in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom was my experience as a casual worker in a food processing company. The way each one of us (both skilled and unskilled) manning different aspects of the processing machines collaborated to prepare fast foods like sandwiches, rolls, baps and wraps, toasties, paninis, baguettes, snack pots, scones, cakes and the likes is very interesting. However, any slack from any of us during the process can slow down or destruct the whole process. I learnt more about team spirit in working with other people to actualize a common goal from that company. Likewise, as professional writer for devotional and other religious-related materials for my denomination for almost two decades, the process of the literatures we produce is another fascinating one. From curriculum developers, topic/theme assigners, writers, editors, typesetters, proofreaders, printers, distributors, to the sellers, each of us work together so that the readers will have something worthwhile to use for their spiritual growth. If anyone in this team fails to do his/her part properly and/or in time, the users of the literatures will suffer for it in a way. These two experiences remind me of one of the favourite songs of the Baptist Women Missionary Union of Nigeria that goes thus: "If we work together, Together, together; If we work together, the happier we'll be. Your work and my work, our work for the Lord; If we work together, the happier we'll be." An incident that happened to the people of Israel as they were going from Egypt (their land of slavery) to Canaan (their promised land) corroborates this. On their way, the Amalekites decided to waylay them. There was no reason given for this attack. Moses, however, rose to the task by sending Joshua and some men to go and fight the Amalekites. He also decided to do his own part in the battle by going up to a mountain to intercede for them. Joshua led the fighting men to battle against the Amalekites. Moses also led two other people, Aaron and Hur, to a mountain where he interceded for the fighting men. As long as he raised his hands up, the Israelites were winning, but the Amalekites would be winning whenever he lowered his hands. It came to a point that he was tied. Aaron and Hur then did their own part in finding a seat for Moses and helping him to raise his hands up, ensuring that the Israelites eventually had total victory. Five different kinds of people worked together for a common cause to give the Israelites success: 1) Joshua that heeded to the order of Moses in choosing and leading the fighting men; 2) the choosing men that did the fighting; 3) Moses that went to intercede for them; 4) Aaron and Hur that held Moses' hands when he was tired; and 5) God that gave the victory. The role of none of these people cannot be underestimated. Likewise, the motto of the union referred to above is relevant here: "For we are God's fellow-workers; you are God's field, God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV). You are in a place where people need you to work together with them for a common cause. It may be in your local church, in a workplace, or in any other place. Even if you into a one-man business, you still need to collaborate with other people to make that business thrive. How are you doing your part for the common cause? No matter how small or insignificant your part may be, work together with others faithfully. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always cooperate with others as you work with them for a common cause.