SYMBIOSIS - simply LIVING TOGETHER

Ever seen a picture of a crocodile opening its mouth to permit a bird to feed on leeches attached to its gums? Ever since I saw that picture of a Nile crocodile and the Egyptian plover I marveled at God’s design: mutually beneficial diversity! That’s what this principle is all about: living organisms need each other. The diversity of Spiritual Gifts best illustrate this: many parts – one body. Hand does not tell the eye “I don’t need you” nor head will say the same to the feet (1st Corinthians 12:17-21)
Symbiosis is the “one another” principle taught by the apostle Paul. We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another….Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves….Live in harmony with one another. (Romans 12:5,10,16) Read Pauline letters to churches and you will find this phrase to be descriptive of the Christian Community – members of one another!
Natural way of life is symbiosis. Bees pollinate flowers while gathering honey. Now, kids would understand this example: remember Nemo? The territorial clownfish protects the anemone from anemone-eating fish, and in turn the stinging tentacles of the anemone protect the clownfish from its predators.
Biologists today openly critique Darwin’s notion of competition. Evidence shows that only intentionally co-operating, interacting, and mutually dependent organisms outcompete those that don't. Life takes over not by combat, but by networking! This is an illustrated definition of symbiosis.
The opposite of symbiosis are parasitism or competition, and in either case there is no “win-win” option.
Symbiosis is God’s design to keep our Diversity in Unity and Harmony. The Church can function according to God’s plan only as it lives together!!! In our Church we encourage wide diversity. A monoculture, producing a same worship, same practices, same music, making “carbon-copy” people for the sake of uniformity is just another form of parasitism. In nature monoculture causes erosions and depletes sources of resources…..
Symbiosis is Jesus’ Golden Rule of loving others. It’s about bringing together different people to become One Body of Christ.
Reflect on these natural principles: INTERDEPENDENCE, MULTIPLICATION, ENERGY TRANSFER, MULTIUSAGE, and now SYMBIOSIS….These principles are all connected having one thing in common: life!
In the beginning God said: “Let there be life!” Same invitation stands to the Church today: Live and let the rivers of living water flow out, as blessing from one to another…..