"I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light." - Helen Keller. Humans are by nature social beings. From the moment we live, to the moment we draw our final breath, we are surrounded by and often crave interaction. We were made to go together, not apart.
This inherent nature is what many, like myself, struggled with during this pandemic. Even myself, who is not the most partial to social gatherings, felt the almost depressive state that the world was enveloped within. We were without each other, dealing with some of the most painful months of existance on our own.
However, this past weekend, those feelings were flipped. I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with some young men my age. Young men with similar aspirations, young men with likeminded Christ focused attitudes. We laughed with each other, discussed our futures, and made connections. We competed against each other, but supported each other like brothers admist it. We walked four blocks for ice cream when we were told it was one. We stayed out late playing the hotel piano until we were told we couldn't.
It was this weekend that I gained a deeper understanding of God's plan for his church. Many thoughts and verses and passages came to mind throughout, but one stood out among the rest. One from a very early year of competition, a year focused around the study of the book of Proverbs. If we look into the book, at specifically the 17th chapter, we can see the importance God placed on the relationships between his children. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
God, the omnipotent creator that He is, knew from the beginning that we work best together. He knew that one of the biggest weapons in the Christian's arsenal is their friends. Not only did he understand that, he purposed for us a church in which we can make those connections. Paul encourages the Thessolonian church in the fifth chapter of the first letter to "comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you brethren to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, esteem them very highly."
We as Christians are the most effective labourers when we are together. To the group of guys who I spent the weekend with, thank you for making me an effective labourer. Thank you for being the iron which sharpens my iron, as I hope I am to you. I look forward to seeing you succeed and exceed all that has been set before you in the Kingdom. I hope that we shall cross paths again soon, and if not, that we shall all meet again on that golden shore.
Comments