“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT)
*Please note: If you haven’t read yesterday’s post, please do that before you continue.
Life, even apart from being a Jesus follower, was never meant to be lived alone. God said in Genesis 2:18: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Adam needed “a helper.” Think about that for a few seconds. Adam was with God, surrounded by perfection: perfect animals, perfect plants, a perfect environment, but it wasn’t enough. He needed another human being.
There is no such thing as a “Lone Ranger Jesus follower.” The whole purpose for us to follow Jesus is to share Him with others, to expand His eternal Kingdom. That’s not a solo task. Yes, of course, we should witness to others when we’re alone, but if we’re going to build the foundation of our life on the solid Rock of Christ, we need others to help us “dig.”
When I was in my 40’s I got a job with an insurance company that had a workout center in their facility. But to be able to use it I had to have a meeting with the director. They wanted to make sure I didn’t do things that would hurt me, so they tested my strength and agility. While I was lying on my back trying to stretch in ways I was being asked to stretch, the guy had the audacity to say to me that I “had the flexibility of a 2 X 4.” Fast forward 30 years and I now have the flexibility of a light pole.
So? I realized if anything was going to change in my physical fitness, I couldn’t do it myself. Too many old farts like me chalk it up to old age, and allow themselves to waste away, ultimately sentencing themselves to a wheelchair, a hospital bed, or worse, a heart attack or stroke. So, I decided to ask the smartest person I know to help me, and, gratefully, my wife was thrilled. I now have a list of fourteen simple stretching exercises that – are you ready for this – she started doing with me in the family room. After a few days I started doing them by myself every day! Add fifteen to twenty minutes on my stationary bike and I might live to 100.
What’s my point? Doer’s lay a strong foundation on Christ by partnering with like-minded people who will hold them accountable and keep them moving in the right direction. The Bible calls it “discipleship,” but I call it just good common sense. If you’re a new believer or someone who is not growing in your faith, it’s time to find another person or a small group of people with whom to do life.
Maybe your church doesn’t have a Small Groups’ ministry. Create one. Depending on your age, gender, marital status, etc., find a few other people in similar circumstances and ask them to meet once a week or as often as makes sense for you, for the express purpose of growing in your faith together.
You could meet with a co-worker(s); a neighbor, or someone at church. Don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be, but in order for it to work you’ve got to keep your focus on Jesus. He’s the Builder, you’re the “workers.” Choose a book of the Bible, preferably in the New Testament to start (the Gospel of John is a great choice), read and study individually, then come together and talk about what the Lord is teaching you.
Talk about life – what’s going on in your life at work, at home, your health, etc.. Pray together for each other but include other needs as well. Then, as the opportunity presents itself, invite one or two others to join you. Let the Spirit lead you and, as you grow in your faith, you can study Christian books or do video teachings together. Loving Jesus is the greatest opportunity any human being will ever have and doing it together with others just makes it that much better.
Digging deep faith-foundations is so much easier and better when you have others to help you dig!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 