Back in school, we were taught the word “synergy”, whereby an organisation functions collectively more efficiently and effectively than if the individuals making up that organisation were to carry out their tasks in isolation.
Conceptually, this can be represented by 1+1 = 3.
When we look in the bible, we see synergies being displayed from as early as the time of Moses, whereby artisans came together to assemble the various furniture to be placed in the tabernacle in the wilderness, as recorded in Exodus 31.
Similarly, several hundred years later, during the time of Solomon, skilled craftsmen were involved in the construction of the majestic temple in Jerusalem, where it says in 1 Kings 5-6 that it took 7 whole years to build.
Perhaps the best illustration of synergy can be seen in Jesus’ twelve disciples (who subsequently became known as the apostles, with Matthias replacing Judas). Among them were humble fishermen like Peter, James, John and Andrew. Contrast them with Bartholomew, a nobleman who was from the royal line. There was a patriot in the form of Simon the Zealot and a traitor in the form of Matthew the tax collector. In the natural, it would have been considered insanity to try to get such a diverse group of individuals to work together. Yet the 11 of them (plus Matthias who replaced Judas) became what was known as the apostles who was given the mandate to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, Samaria and to the uttermost ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Indeed, with God, nothing is impossible!
Fast forward to today and I want to testify to another great example of synergy, and that is how God has brought together 12 grace-based believers from diverse backgrounds and different walks of life in 2013 to form GRACE UNITED. Amongst us are a lawyer, an accountant, a graphic designer, a scriptwriter, an IT network expert, an IT software expert, an army regular, a hawker, a real estate administrator, a full-time missionary, a legal secretary, and last but not least, an award-giving encourager of the brethren.
We may be at different stages in terms of our spiritual journey. Yet we have one thing in common — we have been greatly impacted by the grace gospel.
Although GRACE UNITED was only formed in July 2013, God has sealed our friendships to the extent that it is as though we have known each other for decades. And how this website came about really testifies to His power and enabling. Just like those artisans recorded in Exodus, or those master craftsmen as recorded in 1 Kings, or the disciples/apostles as recorded in the book of Acts, God used each and every one of us to put this project together.
What made it so much more amazing is that everything seemed so effortless, as though we were carried on the wings of grace. The IT network expert registered the domain. The graphic designer conceptualised the website. The scriptwriter contributed the content, and so on.
Indeed, it was a case of 1+1 = 3 .
Synergy. Where the whole is greater collectively than the sum of its individual parts. And in the spiritual realm, it is the Holy Spirit that causes 1+1 be greater than 2.
To God be all the glory!
[…] to this blog entry. Just wanted to testify and share about how that synergy I blogged about 2 weeks ago has never been so pronounced as it has been over the past few days. […]