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I Can Do This Alone
Brad Thompson
July 12, 2015
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Mythbusters: I Can Do This Alone
This morning we will be in our summer series, "Mythbusters." We will focus on the myth that "we can do this (the Christian journey) alone." If I'm honest, there's not a single thing worth mentioning in my life that I've accomplished or learned on my own. From being raised in a good home with good parents and extended family, to church families that have loved and encouraged me, to coaches and teachers that challenged and supported me, to the family that I currently live in that still teaches me about faith, grace, mercy, joy, and hope. And that's before I even mention the patience that God has shown me while trying to draw me to His will for my life.
We live in a part of the world that has made "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" and "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on the horse" famous. And yet it seems that everywhere I turn in scripture, community is being celebrated and encouraged.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Solomon writes:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
And that example continues in the New Testament. Jesus could have done everything he did by himself - teach in the synagogues and temples, heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. And yet he chose 12 men to share the journey with him. He could have gone to the garden alone, but he chose to take his closest friends with him. And when he sent them out, it was never alone.
We could continue - Peter has the other apostles, Paul has Silas, Barnabas, Timothy and others. The point is we were created to live in community, to share this journey. So why don't we?