POEM #16- John Donne (1572-1631)

No Man Is An Island

We've all heard the expression; here's its source. I can't think of a single place where the connectedness of people should play out more than in the church. We are one Body, and Christ is the Head. The decisions we make ALWAYS affect more people than we realize. Years ago, when we were going through a rough time, Nathan said, "I struggle with the fact that trying to live biblically to provide a restful "pond for my family to swim in" isn't enough. Other people come and throw big rocks in my pond." That is so true. We live with the ripples caused by other's actions. And heaven knows, we've thrown some rocks of our own. Let's reverse Jesus' remark and say, "He who has not cast a stone, please step up..." This interconnected life is meant to be a blessing- where my and your daily decisions to do right bless the lives of those around us. It should encourage us to humility and forgiveness of those who ripple our pond (even as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven us!) and to a desire to edify each other.

No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as a manor of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.