When We All Pull Together

A man from a big city was enjoying a relaxing drive in the country when a dog ran in front of his car. He swerved to miss it but lost control of his car and ended up in a ditch. After a few unsuccessful attempts to get his car out, the man sat on his bumper and waited for help to arrive.

He didn’t have to wait long. A farmer who lived just down the road came to his aid with a big, powerful-looking horse. The man watched as the farmer hitched the horse to the car’s bumper. When the rope was secure, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. So the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buster, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. Next, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Coco, pull!!” But the horse still didn’t move. Finally, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buddy, pull!!” And the horse dragged the car from the ditch with very little effort.

The motorist was appreciative – and a little curious. “Why did you call out four names when your horse only responded to one?” he asked.

The farmer smiled. “Oh, Buddy is blind,” he explained, “and if he thought he was the only one pulling he wouldn’t even try.”

Just like Buddy, we need other people to bring out the best in us. I remember singing the song "When We all Pull Together" as a child. It's a powerful message that needs to be resurrected!

As the Scripture says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). That’s why God created us to be part of a community, part of a family, part of the church.

It’s very difficult to live a Christian life alone. It can be done, but like the verse says, one can be overpowered. If alone we can defeat 1000 enemies, and two can put 10,000 enemies to flight, imagine what we can do together!

We need everyone pulling together in the church. This Sunday (and every Sunday), hug someone you wouldn’t normally hug. Greet someone you don’t know. Tell someone who may have hurt you that you love them. We are in this fight together. And we can’t afford to have casualties in this war.