SECTION 3: The Interconnectedness of Purpose 

"Just as each of us has one body with many members [parts], and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12: 4-5).

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“Human beings are like the cells of one body, and if we work in harmony, the body thrives.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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We have all heard the phrase “no man is an island,” we are all interconnected and interdependent. Your gifts and talents need the gifts and talents of others to truly realize their end, which is your purpose. When we hear of the great and powerful impact that world leaders make, we don't often hear of the many names it took to make that impact possible but those names are essential to the fulfillment of purpose. 

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Think of the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Washington. Many people around the world are familiar with Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech” but it took thousands of people to organize and rally to make that day possible, and more than 250,000 people were in attendance. Every single soul involved in attendance played a part in that day’s historical significance.

 

The principle of interdependence illustrates that everything in the universe has a purpose that extends beyond its immediate function. This interconnectedness suggests that while you are essential to the world for the unique purpose you were born to fulfill, you also rely on others to realize your own potential. 

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This symbiotic relationship underscores that no purpose exists in isolation; each is a part of a greater whole and intricately linked to others. Nothing exists for itself; everything is related to something else. Everything is a part of a larger purpose.

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Moses, a pivotal figure in religious texts, exemplified this interdependence through his relationships with key figures such as Joshua, his successor; Jethro, his advisor; Aaron, his spokesperson; and Miriam, his supportive sister. Each contributed uniquely to his life’s mission, demonstrating how collective efforts can lead to substantial outcomes.

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In a more contemporary context, Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid was similarly supported by a network of influential figures. Walter Sisulu provided mentorship and strategic advice, Albertina Sisulu mobilized support through grassroots movements, and Oliver Tambo played a crucial role in advocating internationally for the anti-apartheid cause. These relationships were central not only to Mandela’s personal success but also to the broader achievement of social change in South Africa.