"This is good"
No matter what ones political opinion on the European Union is, I think we can all agree that cooperation is far better than the alternative. Contention is of the devil, and it is my belief that cooperation is of God. Synonyms for the word cooperation include teamwork, partnership, synergy, unity, liaison, understanding etc. Just think about that for a minute.
There are many examples of cooperation in the scriptures. I love for instance the passage in the old testament when the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites, Moses stood on a hill with the rod of God in his hands and when he held his hands up, the Israelites prevailed, but Moses got tired so Aaron and Hur rolled over a stone for him to sit on and when he couldn't keep his arms up Aaron and Hur held them up for him. Now that is cooperation, and thanks to that, the Israelites won, well, that and God. but had they dissented, they probably wouldn't have won.
I also like the passage when Abraham and Lot's families do not get along and Abraham and Lot agree to divide. That is also a form of cooperation: to decide to separate. I like in particular how Abraham says:
"Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left."
Imagine if things could work that way in world politics!
But we need to remember that we do not need to be the same just because we cooperate. I do believe there are universal principles that govern all people: we strive for freedom and happiness, but that doesn't change the fact that we are different and we achieve the ends in different ways. (Yes there are also universal laws on how to achieve eternal freedom and happiness, but that is not the topic right now) God has allowed us to be different for a wise reason, perhaps because we need to teach each other certain things, maybe to make it more fun, make it more colorful and maybe, just maybe so that we can learn to cooperate.
Diversity: the art of thinking independently together
-Malcolm Forbes
I am coming to realize that I love the cooperation in diversity. It can sometimes be a thin line but nevertheless a very fun and exciting line to dance on, in our many different dance-styles. Maybe that is why I find it very interesting here in Brussels, one of the capitals of diversity and cooperation.
