Why Do We Need Other People?

“Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mark 6:7).

Thirteen hours of labor. That’s how long it took to birth another baby yesterday. Before anyone wonders if, because of my age, I made the Guinness Book of World Records, I will clarify. Thirteen hours is how long it took to format a children’s book I wrote with prayer author Sharon Hill and it felt like I was an expectant father or grandmother pacing in the labor and delivery room. Thanks to the formatting expertise of Frank Ball, and his tireless work, we have a book today.

I realize The Most Powerful P Activity Book and Prayer Journal could not have happened without other people.

This is the second children’s book Frank Ball has helped me with and I am always cross-eyed when I watch him work. With limited technological skills, I know I could not have laid the book out myself. I’m not sure I’m as patient as Frank, who rarely took breaks, and I know I could easily get frustrated and quit. Frank, an author, editor, speaker and writing coach is an amazing servant of God who wants to see other authors excel.

I know this book would not have happened without Sharon Hill’s idea and research. She had already written an OnCall Prayer Journal for adults and wanted to create a children’s prayer journal. Since I had already written one children’s book about prayer, The Most Powerful P, she asked to collaborate. Sharon is a great accountability partner. I have a tendency to get distracted and off task because of other responsibilities, but the Lord put Sharon and me together because he knows my weaknesses.

Why am I writing about this today? It’s to say we cannot make it in life without each other.

We cannot be Christians without community.

I get frustrated with people who say their religion is “private” because that is not how God designed us. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says we were put together like a body, with one part not being more important than the other. We all have our function and we need others to move forward in God’s plan for our lives.

When Jesus sent the disciples out on their first mission trip, he commissioned them in pairs. “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mark 6:7). He knew the journey could be difficult and that they would need each other for encouragement, accountability, and decision making. There is also power in numbers. Jesus tasked them with preaching repentance, healing the sick, and driving out demons. That’s a difficult assignment, traveling alone.

God never wants any of us to travel through life alone.

Do you get frustrated by people? It’s going to happen.

There have been numerous times when other people get under my skin and I want to withdraw from the world and its people. Even Jesus did that, but he always returned to his core group of friends as well as the crowds who needed him.

Today, let’s think about the individuals who the Lord placed in our lives for a reason. Think about how they compliment us, and thank God for them. Let’s make a point to tell our inner circle who they are and how they help us. Also think about the difficult ones who cause us to seek God in prayer more regularly. Everything and everyone has a purpose.

We cannot make it alone. We need God and we need his people.

Otherwise our lives are like stagnant water, without use to anyone.

If you’ve isolated yourself for any reason, perhaps it’s time to reconnect with a church, a small group, or other Christians. The enemy of our soul wants you to dwell on past hurts so you are paralyzed and cannot make a difference.

God desires for you to be in community. (LBW)