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Good morning. ÌýWhen the first model T Ford motorcar left the factory in Detroit on this day in 1908, it marked the beginning of a new era. The mass production of the 'Tin Lizzie' not only changed the way people thought about travel, but it also brought a change to manufacturing. ÌýUsing assembly line techniques, each person had a job to do, until bit by bit the car was put together and eventually rolled off the assembly line.Ìý

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As a teenager in Georgia, I worked for a time on a production line. Thinking back on that experience, I remember the demands of the job, but also the great sense of camaraderie which we enjoyed as we worked together. We all came from very different backgrounds, but no one thought of status, class or position; each person had a role to play and every contribution was valued. More than that, we realized that there could be no solo performance on an assembly line; we needed one another. ÌýIn fact, we couldn’t complete our work unless everyone contributed.

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The Apostle Paul likened the need for one another to a body with many parts. He wrote:

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"There are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ÌýOn the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable

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Sometimes, we may like to think of ourselves asÌýindependent and self-sufficient. Yet, regardless of our race or background, gender, age or status, we are all equal in the sight of God and dependent on one another.Ìý

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Loving God, remind us daily of our need for others. Teach us to respect everyone and to be ready to give, as well as to receive. Amen