 Three Meter Zone | JD's Bunker | Poetry | Chapel | American Journal |
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COOPERATION Paul Schneidmill
Several
years ago, I read a story in one of Alice Gray’s “Stories for the Heart” book
collection, about an experience the late entertainer, Jimmy Durante, had while
entertaining American troops at a USO show in Jimmy
had informed the benefit personnel that he would not be able to perform very
long, due to an engagement he had elsewhere in that particular region.
When he was scheduled to end his performance, he continued to perform for the
troops much, much longer than expected. When his act was over, he was asked
by one of the show personnel why he performed so long after stating he would
only perform for a short time. Jimmy remarked that there were two
soldiers in the audience who repeatedly applauded him, so he was encouraged to
continue. The questioner was puzzled. Undoubtedly, the famous Jimmy
Durante was used to applause, so he asked the entertainer what was so different
about the applause of these two “G.I.’s.” Jimmy explained that both of
the men had been maimed, each were missing an arm – one was missing his right
arm, the other was missing his left arm, and together they were using what they
had to applaud his performance. I
believe that story displays a serious example/exhibition of the meaning of
cooperation. Cooperation
is that which promotes mutual effort and allows for the use of multiple
abilities. Cooperation consists of united effort, works well with his
counterpart, “Participation,” and always does more good than
harm.
Let
me tell you a little story God recently gave me about cooperation…and I mean
recently, very recently. He gave it to me as I was writing the previous
few sentences. Once
upon a time (that’s always a good place to start – smile), there were three
“gentlemen” who were completely and totally united. They were so united,
they were inseparable. They did everything together, made decisions
together and were not divided in anything. For the story’s purpose, we’ll
call them, “CO,” “OP,” and “RATE.” One
day, after having worked diligently for five days on a massive and innovative
construction project, “CO” said to “OP” and “RATE,” “Let Us make man in Our
image, according to Our likeness; and let them (mankind) rule over the fish of
the sea (that We’ve made) and over the birds of the sky (that We’ve made) and
over the cattle (that We’ve made), and over all the earth (ditto), and over
every creeping thing that creeps on the earth (you guessed it). (Genesis
1:26 – New American Standard
Bible) (I
believe you might just be on the train by now…if so, let’s go for a ride) So
man was created with the imprint, signature, and stamp of The One and Only
Maker of all things. Things were going well for man until he willingly
decided to disobey the only strict “do not” he’d been given (Genesis
2:16-17). After that, big trouble was invited into the vast
neighborhood created for man. Things got so bad it was as if man was
racing recklessly down a steep hill, in a speeding ambulance with lights
flashing, really, really fast. “CO,”
“OP,” and “RATE” loved man dearly and wanted man to be and do good, but “CO,”
in agreement with “OP” and “RATE” (as always) would note mandate man’s ability
to choose or act regarding right and wrong, because the essence of “CO,” is
love (1
John 4:8), and love never compels or demands (1
Corinthians 13:5 – New Living Translation…think on that for a bit). To
“save” man from his mounting mess, a rescue mission was engineered by the
“Supreme Love Team” of “CO,” “OP,” and “RATE.” Working
through a totally unified plan that would require great sacrifice, “OP”
inserted Himself into the situation and paid the ultimate price for man – His
life. In an over-watch position nearby (as He stands nearby at all
times), “RATE” “raised” “OP” from the dead and extracted Him back to
“OP.” The mission was a complete success! Let
me introduce you to heroes of our story: “CO,”
is God, the Father. He is our Sovereign, Supreme COmmander and Creator. “OP,”
is God, the Son. He is the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He
OPerated, and yet OPerates on behalf of all mankind. “RATE,”
is God, the Holy Spirit. He is the Comforter and He is able to guide us,
help us, and lead us. Like the definition of the word, “RATE,” He
provides a measurement of the power of the Whole, within us (Romans
12:3, Ephesians
4:7). Now,
get this. We have the capacity to cooperate with each other in this
life. Really…, we do. When we cooperate with each other and work
together with God (1
Corinthians 3:9), great things are accomplished. Let’s
cooperate to have better cooperation with God and others. “CO,” “OP,” and
“RATE” really are a great team. They are ONE and they are the best!
You and I can join them. You and I can be united with them and be adopted
into their “Family.” We
can get into the ongoing story and join the cast as, “TION” (pronounced,
“SHUN”). Copyright © Paul Schneidmill |
