Coworkers in the Lord

When God created Adam He said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2.18) God didn’t mean a helper for the housework. God meant a helper to find God. Adam needed a coworker, so God created Eve.

We all need help finding God and we all need help spreading the Gospel to other who need help finding God. Nobody can ‘do it alone’ when it comes to finding God. No one is a lone soldier in the war against evil. Take a moment and read today’s letter from Saint Paul.

Brethren, I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself shall come also. I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditos my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me.

Philippians 2.24-30

The Scriptures are filled with examples of holy coworkers in the Lord. Adam needed Eve. Saint Paul needed Epaphroditos, Barnabas and others. It should come as no surprise that WE need coworkers in our journey to Christ. So, Christ gave us His Church.

The Church is not just our mother and teacher. The Church is our coworker in the Lord, but I’m not speaking institutionally today. The Church is YOU AND ME, fellow citizens of paradise, fellow soldiers in the war against evil.

Are you struggling to live as Christ invites us to live? Then reach out to the Church for a ‘living’ coworker. The People of God, the Church, is more than just a group of people who gather every Sunday (at least) in the Temple of God.

It is one benefit to having godparents when we join the Church, to help us figure our way through life. That is a bit how I see Be Transfigured Ministries. Our slogan, “Live A New Life In Christ” is a call for us to help each other live that life.

It is why the Church gathers in prayer, to help us all learn to pray. We gather around the table to help us learn how to fast. We come to each other’s aide to help us learn to serve. Being coworkers goes both ways. YOU TOO can help others learn what you have learned.

My invitation to you today is to realign your life to the Church. Center your life around the communal life of your local Orthodox Parish. Learn to depend upon others, and how to allow others to depend on you. Become coworkers in the Lord.