“After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, ‘Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?’ The Lord said, ‘Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.’ And Judah said to Simeon his brother, ‘Come up with me in the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into the territory allotted to you.’ So Simeon went with him” (Judges 1:1-3).
Have you ever felt alone in what your are trying to accomplish? Many pastors and lay ministers feel alone in their role because of the expectations that are put upon them for their ministry. Sometimes people expect our spiritual leaders to be perfect people, above the fray, better than everyone else. Once, when I shared a popular joke on social media a friend of mine wrote to me and said, “I thought that you were better than that.” In embarrassment I took the joke down, but also felt unjustly criticized.
When we engage in reaching others for Christ God does not want us to be alone. We need the support and partnership of others if we are to be successful in whatever ministry God has called us too. Just like Judah and Simeon, they did not engage in their conquests alone. They partnered with each other to realize the dream of a land God would give them. Partnerships are important. Event the apostle Paul did not do things alone. He traveled with others like Barnabas and Silas. He wrote his letters with the help of others. In fact, when God called him into ministry, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
Whether you are criticized or praised, don’t do your work alone. We need each other. There are no Lone Ranger Christians.
Memory Verse
“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (I Corinthians 12:27).
Application
Do you feel like you have no help? Seek out others with a similar heart as yours and recruit their help, or offer to help them in their ministry. Partnerships are intentional. Be intentional in working with others.