Follow the Leader

by Julie May

When we stay united, we will rise up stronger. 

Definition of Strong(er): able to withstand great force or pressure 

Definition of Unity: the state of being united or joined as a whole 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Have you ever attended an orchestra concert and thought to yourself how amazing it is to have that many people join together, resulting in such a beautiful sound? The actual number of musicians in a performance may vary from seventy to over one hundred musicians, depending on the piece being played.  A chamber orchestra is a smaller ensemble of not more than about fifty musicians - still a good number of team members to synchronize.  Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance with movements of the hands, arms, and baton.  The conductor unifies the orchestra, as well as sets the tempo to form the sound of the ensemble.  The leader of the first violin section, commonly called the concertmaster, also plays a key role in leading and tuning the musicians and works with the conductor to form unity within the group. 

The musicians are to work together to bring the harmonious organization to life. This takes a lot of hard work, patience, practice, and a deep understanding of each other. They are working together, each doing their part and complementing one another to the betterment of the program. It takes dedication and teamwork! Everyone must learn to communicate well and take helpful suggestions with humility. A musician learns to listen and harmonize. They strive to listen so they can better understand each other. 

The musicians are not competing with each other, they are coordinating their talents with one another to achieve the goal of producing the best product they can. There will be challenges, but they stick with it. 

I have seen this with our two youngest children as they are both a part of the orchestra program at their high school. They have developed relationships with their group members and work hard to keep peace and unity, along with love and grace. 

When everyone in the orchestra is playing and living in harmony, they are fulfilling God’s purpose of song and life. We all have our part, our place and purpose in this life, and we should strengthen - not weaken each other.  

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

As I reflect on this for my life and The Creek’s GriefShare Program that I am privileged to help facilitate, it reminds me of the importance to be in strong unity within the facilitating team so we can be in stronger unity for the attendees.  

We have found we need a strong unity to have a healthy GriefShare Ministry. The facilitating team must be in tune and on the same page as to the purpose, offering hope to others by active empathetic listening and leaning into what they are going through. As facilitators, we definitely need to be united and prepared for what might lie ahead in the meetings and what may arise. We not only have Christians attending GriefShare, but we also have attendees with other beliefs, religions, thought processes, along with nonbelievers. Currently, 60% of our attendees do not worship at The Creek, where GriefShare meets. They are coming in from outside The Creek, some traveling many miles and up to an hour to get to GriefShare. We want to be examples of love and have a peaceful place for them to gather. 

What can we as facilitators do to build a stronger bond and unity? Let God be our conductor and do as the musicians do - gather, listen, learn, coordinate, cooperate, work together, harmonize, join forces for the betterment of the program. We pray and ask God to sharpen, shape and unify us so we can be best prepared to be HIS open arms to all that are grieving. 

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)

We can learn much from each other and this holds true with the GriefShare attendees as well. They develop friendships and unity with each other. The attendees end up giving each other hope and strength, we see this heartwarming occurrence take place during most every round of GriefShare. They are very nervous to attend and feel they will be frowned upon if they cry in front of others or what people will think of them when they share their personal story, but by midway through the program they have grown in unification and many start staying after the meetings to visit and some start meeting outside of the GriefShare gatherings!   

It is beautiful - like the music of a well-unified orchestra. Praises to God! 

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Soul Care - Unity