"When people care enough, they can come together and accomplish things of a scope and longevity that were previously impossible; they can do big things for love" (Shirky, 142).
This such a powerful quotation which closes Shirky's chapter "Personal Motivation Meets Collaborative Production." It's also quite fitting when matched with today's lectionary appointed readings. (Like loving one's enemy, one's neighbor, and stranger. As written in Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; and Matthew 5:38-48).
Shirky concludes this thought after a long narrative about the power and work of the writers of Wikipedia. But the same principle applies to a barn raising, to a church building project making use of countless volunteers, and even to a community coming together to hold a family in prayer and support.
Speaking of prayer, my mom's cousin Brad Tengesdal, is fighting for his life in a Minot, ND, hospital this weekend. He has had a major brain injury, the result of falling from the roof of a building he was working on this past week. Brad is a builder and contractor who does amazing work. Surgery was conducted, and overall the doctors were pleased with the results. That said, Brad is in a medically enduced coma, with the hope that the swelling and pain on his brain can be reduced. If you can include him and the family in your prayer, that would be a great blessing.
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