In what the

news media called "the miracle at Quecreek," nine miners trapped

for three days 240 feet underground in a water-filled mine shaft decided

early in their crisis that they were either going to live together or

die together as a group.

The cold water

threatened to kill them slowly by hypothermia, so according to one news

report, "when one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around

the person and warm that person, and when another person got cold, the

favor was returned."

Miner Harry

B. Mayhugh told reporters after the rescue, "everybody had strong

moments, but any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest

pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone

else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That's the

only way it could have been."

They faced

incredibly dangerous conditions together, and they all came out alive

­ together. Pulling together and standing together greatly contributed

to their survival.

In our self-centered

society, we sometimes forget how badly we need each other. Too often we're

like the guy with the record for "longest time living in a tree."

According to the Guiness Book of World Records, a man climbed a

tree in Benkes, Indonesia in 1970 and has been there ever since. He lives

in a nest he made from the branches and leaves of the trees. People have

repeatedly tried to get him to come down, but he refuses.

Maybe you haven't

chosen to live in a tree, but have you withdrawn from others? Are you

one who really doesn't want to fool with other people? Possibly because

of past hurts, are you wary of others and have a hard time trusting other

people?

God created

us to be relational people. He created us with a desire to have a relationship

with Himself and intends for us to live in community with others. That's

why God blesses us with family, friends and neighbors who support us and

stand with us in life's happy and hard times. And that's why God desires

us to plug into the body of Christ, the local church.

The church

family is where we connect with God and with other people. When we make

a commitment to Christ by identifying with a local church, we are positioning

ourselves not only for spiritual enrichment, but also for support. We

don't have to face life alone. There are people out there who want to

help and support you. They need you and you need them.

This need for

one another is emphasized throughout the New Testament. Have you ever

noticed the over 50 "one another" statements and commands? For

example:

"Be at

peace with one another" (Mark 9:50).

"Love

one another" (John 13:14).

"Love

each other" (John 15:12).

"Be devoted

to one another in brotherly love" (Romans 12:10).

"Honor

one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10).

"Stop

passing judgement on one another" (Romans 14:13).

"Accept

one another, then, just as Christ accepted you" (Romans 15:7).

"Instruct

one another" (Romans 15:14).

"Have

equal concern for each other" (I Corinthians 12:25).

"Serve

one another in love" (Galatians 5:13).

"Carry

one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2).

"Be patient,

bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).

"Be kind

and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another" (Ephesians

4:32).

"Submit

to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).

"Do not

lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9).

"Bear

with each other" (Colossians 3:13).

"Admonish

one another" (Colossians 3:16).

"Encourage

one another, and build each other up" (I Thessalonians 5:11).

"Spur

one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24).

"Do not

slander one another" (James 4:11).

"Don't

grumble against each other" (James 5:9).

"Confess

your sins to each other" (James 5:16).

"Pray

for each other" (James 5:16).

"Live

in harmony with one another" (I Peter 1:22).

"Offer

hospitality to one another without grumbling" (I Peter 4:9).

"Clothe

yourselves with humility toward one another" (I Peter 5:5).

"Love

one another" (I John 3:11).

Don't live

in a tree and cut yourself off from others. Go out on a limb and initiate

a relationship. Connect with a church in which you can connect with others.

We need each other for support, love, acceptance and encouragement.

(Dr. David

L. Chancey is pastor of McDonough Road Baptist Church, 352 McDonough Road

in Fayetteville. The church family invites you to join them this Sunday

for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.)

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