Our Close Proximity to Others Allows Us to Scale New Heights in the Spirit

Geckos seemingly defy gravity.  They have the ability to scale walls and even hang upside down from the ceiling without falling to their fate like the rest of us would.  So what gives them the ability to walk in a  seemingly super natural manner?  The secret lies within their feet.  

A gecko's foot is designed in such a manner that they not only have hair like protrusions called setae but these hair like protrusions have smaller protrusions called spatulae.  This intentional structural engineering by the Creator, gives way for intermolecular forces to come into play, allowing a the gecko to "stick" on surfaces in order to climb to knew heights in search of their next meal.   

Vänder Waals Forces is the term used to describe the distant dependent attractions between molecules. The geckos rely on these forces as their spatulae come in close contact with the surface they are trying to climb.  These temporary bonds are weak and more easily susceptible to being perturbed than say a chemical electronic bond.  

When Christians reside in community we are in close proximity to other believers and we become bonded together.  However, when one decides to physically distance themselves from an intimate community, the forces that once held them close are perturbed.  

Being in community will cause disturbances in our lives that may cause us to distance ourselves from the very lives that God intends for us to be connected to.  Distancing ourselves physically or even emotionally can weaken the bonds of intimacy within a community.

We must realize that in our relationships there is a Divine order and a supernatural binding of lives that occurs only as we position ourselves in close proximity to people that we never chose to be friends with.  

God is very intentional about relationships and He is serious about us resolving to navigate through difficulties so that we stay close and in staying close we are able to scale new spiritual heights together.

Ephesians 4:11-16

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, 

the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

 to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and from by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning by craftiness in deceitful schemes.  

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him, who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.  

Christ is the force that holds us together in  love as the body of Christ.  As we stay close to each other we are challenged to grow in new ways but it is for our good and the growth of all that Christ ordained for us to function together.  

God intentionally designed the church to be built up together and to grow together and to scale new heights together.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting meeting together, as is the habit of some, 

but encouraging one another, 

and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow, 

But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Being in community can be difficult and our enemy desires to separate us and get us off on our own so that he can devour us with lies and separate us from a life of encouragement and mutual growth found in an intimate community.

Romans 15:1-6

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings 

of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, 

to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, 

but as it is written, 

"The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."  

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

God expects us to be in close proximity with other believers and in so doing we are challenged to grow.  When we are obedient to His word it is by the power and force of His Spirit that we are held together and live in harmony, bearing with one another and allowing our difficulties to be absorbed by Christ so that we endure through trials together and ultimately are encouraged to keep working at it so that God is glorified through our lives corporately.  

Father, thank you that you are the binding force that holds us together.  Help us to not distance ourselves from one another to avoid hurt but instead help us to allow our reproaches to fall on You.

Our human nature is to self preserve but we don't realize that when we do this and distance ourselves from the body of believers we are in grave danger of falling.  Help us to continue to cling together being held together by the great force of Your love.