Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

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The Chemistry of the Company

Dear Friend,                                      

Dick Halverson, former Chaplain of the United States Senate, used to talk about, “the chemistry of the company.”

At least two things are true whenever a group of followers of Jesus gather.

First, the combination of a people and personalities in any gathering make it unique.

For many gatherings, the exact combination of people in a meeting has never been present together before and will never be so again. This is especially true in large meetings, many worship services and gatherings of people from diverse locations.

Second, what is occurring at this moment in your life is likely unique to you. Where each of us is in our lives is a place we have never been before and will never be again. Even if what is happening is not new to you, your age and experience in life have changed.

So, when the combination of those who gather is a unique mix and where we are in our lives is unique, then we have an unrepeatable “chemistry of the company,” a unique event in history.

Halverson used to say, when such unrepeatable gatherings occur, the Holy Spirit has the opportunity to do something that is unrepeatable in our lives, unique, and wonderful. So, when you next gather with a group of believers, be alert to the special work the Spirit want to do in you and among you.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” I John 1:3*

Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott

© Copyright 2020 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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1. The next time you are with a group, ask yourself, what has changed since the last time this group met? New people? New experiences in life?
2. Make the mental shift to become more aware of your Lord's presence during the meeting. Ask Jesus to open your eyes to the new things he is doing among you!
3. Begin to see every gathering, no matter how routine or repetitive they may be, as a unique gathering of people which gives our Lord an unrepeatable opportunity to do something new in your lives.