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In our highly individualistic world of can-doism, the temptation for the Horatio Hornblower/Arnold Schwarzenegger types of the world is to go it alone as they hack their way through the asphalt jungle of life. Such is the “I am the captain of my fate” cult of self-sufficiency and self-determination. Jeremiah observed such types in stating, Each (man) pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.   (8:6b)  For the follower of Christ, that formula will ultimately spell disaster.  

Nowhere in Scriptures do we find self-sufficient isolationism and John Wayne-esk go-it-aloneism valued as the Biblically sanctioned pattern that leads us toward spiritual maturity or effective Christian service.

* Moses was enjoined by his father-in-law – after near drop dead exhaustion of ‘go-it-aloneism’, to develop a team of co-workers.   (Exodus 18:13-27)

* When Jesus sent the Twelve out for training and ministry, it was in pairs. (Mark 6:7)

*Paul made a practice of traveling and ministering in pairs or with a team.  (Acts 13:2; Acts 20:4, etc.)  

*Paul’s pattern for church growth was that of a united effort through Christian community. (See Eph. 4:11-16; I Cor. 12-14; Heb. 10:24,25 etc.)

As I’m writing these “Facts”, I am meeting for a couple of days with four of my buddies who have taken it upon themselves to check in with me once or twice a year to encourage me in my walk with God and to lovingly ask the hard questions:

* How is your walk with God?  How is God speaking to you?  What’s going on in your thought life?  

* How are you really doing down in your gut?  How is He leading you in terms of your ministry?

* How’s your marriage? How is your family doing?  How are your finances?   How is your health?

*How can we pray for you?  Support you? Etc., etc.

Surrounded as I am by these men reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4:9,10, and Proverbs 13:20a; 27:6a  
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…He who walks with the wise grows wise…Wounds from a friend can be trusted…  (See 1 Sam. 23:16; 2 Sam. 11:11,12; Job 4:3,4; Prov. 17:17)  

How about you?  In a world where fellow believers are dropping like flies to immorality, discouragement, isolation, loneliness, and lack of true accountability, are you out there hacking it out alone?  Perhaps even twisting in the wind…alone?  Or are you choosing to travel with a company of committed likeminded warriors like my friends who are intent on helping this needy pilgrim remain on the right path until he crosses the line into eternity?  If you are electing to go it alone, I wonder what the odds are that you will end well with God ?

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from theLord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.  (Jeremiah 17:5,6)