We all know two is better than one. Love songs tell us, pop culture reminds us, various clubs poke this at us in order to get our participation, pastors preach it at us to get our tithe; but can one really do it alone?
I am someone who is rarely alone. Being the oldest of seven, married right out of high school, and early mom - alone is something not found often. To be honest I am grateful for this. I remember back in high school all of my family (grandparents, siblings and parents) were in town (a 30 minute drive) and I was home alone at 15. I was alone for about 15 minutes and I got antsy and bothered at the quiet and lack of companionship. So I called my best friend and bribed her with gas money to come pick me up; which she thankfully did. That is quiet literally the only time I remember being home alone, otherwise isolation only occurred in the car which always involved music. In addition I have always shared my heart and thoughts easily, and perhaps too frequently. But I learn more about myself as I talk it through with others, they are my energy and reminders of grace. I say all this to say, I have never been afraid to admit I need people. But I have never been in a position where seeking help 'looked bad'; most weaknesses have never struck me as something I should be ashamed of or have to hide for fear of loosing face.
My husband is a PK (pastor's kid), and if anyone knows the church - pastor's are typically expected to be like the priests of old: perfect - and pk's are expected to follow suit. Growing up I always heard, you either get the pk who is perfect or the pk who rebels against God and the Church. Now his parent's didn't expect perfection, they did require good behavior. My husband still feels like everyone is watching him at church, and will always sit towards the back whether at church or in class. Because judgement is his weakness, he constantly gets poked by people and the enemy, whether it be by his 'stay-at-home-dad' status, long hippy hair and beard, geeky t-shirts, or his quiet nature.
I recently had someone I love, tell me they were in counseling and the day after our conversation they asked if I was disappointed by them. Not so much by the idea of counseling, but rather by the weaknesses they shared. I told them of course not, and in fact I was proud of them being able to share and deal with what they were going through. Being in ministry, being a parent, being a leader often makes people think they gotten things together, but really we are all just growing and moving towards Grace.
Personally because of my, and my father's experience with the normal institution church, I was bitter and hurt. When the church divides a Christian family, and leaves out personal discernment; it loses its purpose and leaves the Body of Christ with a bad taste. I saw this, and thus decided the church as a Sunday morning institution was for the blind, the weak sheep, and those who were unable to live the life of a Christian. I believed in community, and found that in an extended family - where we broke bread, shared our burdens, preached, prayed and worshipped. A pastor, elders, deacons, and a building seemed superficial and superfluous; and for the most part my experience proved a lot of this.
Yet God has been doing something. A few weeks ago, I started attending a church. Not only did I start attending on Sunday, but also Wednesday, and I my heart wanted to be there all the time. My heart has started to heal, and in the middle of that my pastor, and even visiting my pastor-father-in-law, the sermons have been about communing with the Body of Christ in church. In addition to a desire to be with the organized Body, I also see the brokenness in my friends, coworkers, and others even more than before; not to mention a keen awareness of my own need for Christ.
So what does this all mean? Why share? To be honest I don't know. I am walking on this journey, and have seen a dramatic increase in faith-based interactions, and have been shaken and challenged. I have seen those I love growing, and moving towards Christ.
Hebrews 10:23-25
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
"And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
Romans 12:4-5
"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
James 5:16
"16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
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