Monday Morning Manna: Together is Better

Sometimes I am easily amused, like sitting in a coffee shop, reading T-shirts, while waiting on an appointment with a friend. On a recent day the back of a nearby t-shirt read, “Together is better,” which was a good thought. Then I noticed a scripture reference underneath, Ecclesiastes 4:9, which reads, “Two are better than one.” As I was able to pick up bits and pieces of the conversation, I realized that the one in the t-shirt was offering spiritual counsel with the other person at the table. It was so refreshing to see someone actually living what they were displaying on their t-shirt. Much better than the t-shirt I saw on another occasion, which read, “I’m only talking to my dog today” as the person chatted continually with a friend. Or the t-shirt that read, “I love New York” worn by a person with a distinctly southern accent. A better t-shirt message might be the words of Helen Keller, who said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The best thing about togetherness for Christians, is expressed in the words of Jesus who said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Together is better. Together with Jesus is b est – whether worn on a t-shirt on not.

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford