JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Cooperation.

This is the process of working together toward the same end. A common purpose brings people together to serve shoulder to shoulder, side by side.

This is what we see happening in Nehemiah chapter 3. The wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt as the Israelites worked on the section where they were assigned. Nehemiah 4:6 says, “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” That required a spirit of cooperation under the leadership of Nehemiah.

Families, churches, and any other organizations that function well have a spirit of cooperation among its members. Ephesians 4:16 shows how cooperation strengthens the church community. Jesus is the uniting force for the body of Christ. From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Cooperation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com