As Its Weakest Link

As Its Weakest Link

When sayings or stories stick around for a long time, you should probably listen to them. Stories that stand the test of time, usually do so because there is an underlying, timeless truth. I do not believe we should adopt every perennial story as a life directing worldview, but we should examine what truths have been keeping them alive all this time.

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

This idiom has been used to describe cooperative structures for quite some time to motivate “underperforming” members to increase their input. This statement has stood the test of time because it tells an eternal truth about the value of every individual and the importance of their contributions. What you do (or don’t do) is important and makes an impact in this world. So many people make the miscalculation that they don’t contribute much or their lack of contribution isn’t noticed. The reality is, that every person has the potential to make an exponential impact on the outcomes of their life as well as those around them and it is a travesty when they don’t put their efforts forward.

I have heard very applicable lessons used to apply this within the church: “if every Christian did what I did, what would the Church be like?” The church could be a booming, caring, involved center of activity or it could be little more than a pit stop where individuals would trickle in, sit quietly for an hour before shuffling out without interacting with anyone. What would it model if it were modeled after our actions?

Two Observations:

1. Your efforts and contributions are vitally important to the Church.

2. When you are not an active contributor, the efforts of God’s Church suffers.

I am thankful that the ultimate success of the God’s Church is not dependent on the efforts of us imperfect people, but on Christ who is the link that will never break (Phil. 1:6). This is why when you feel weak and you are about to break, remember it does not depend on you, it is God who strengthens you (Phil 2:13).  When you want to be away, you will be alone with your problems that you haven’t been able to solve; when you are before God in worship, you are bringing your problems to the one that can strengthen you to overcome them (Phil. 4:19).

I love you

Jonathan