There is an ancient African proverb that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Our culture values and glorifies independence. We are constantly bombarded with messages that imply we are somehow weak or deficient if we need others to help us. Unfortunately, that value system oozes into the community of Christ-followers.
We are all busy and the last thing we think we need is to carve out a couple of hours to meet with others for fellowship, support, and learning. “I can read the Bible and think about it on my own at home, can’t I? Isn’t it—dare I say—a waste of time to meet regularly with a small group of believers?” The answer is of course, “no!” Our spiritual wholeness depends on it.
The apostle Paul uses an Olympic race as a metaphor for our Christian Life. This life, however, is a marathon not a sprint, and we cannot do it alone. We desperately need each other.
If we are not already involved in a small group that meets regularly, we need to join one. Engaging in discussion with others will clarify questions we have, will help us apply it to our lives, and will begin to train the eyes of our hearts to more clearly see.