There's Hope For TodaySample

I ran into a Lone Ranger the other day. He had been coming to my church for several months, hiding in an overflow section and ducking out during the final prayer.

When I finally cornered him, he admitted that he had been avoiding contact and guarding his anonymity. With a worried sigh, he gave me his name as I offered my hand. I suggested that he get involved in a class or small group to start developing relationships. He shrugged and smiled, and I knew he had already chosen to stay out on the range.

I couldn’t make him see that there are no Lone Rangers in the Kingdom of God. We are all joined together; made better together; more effective together. I tried to help him see that the Body of Christ is diminished by every part that chooses not to integrate, but he was having none of it. Something keeps him out riding the fences alone. I know you’re probably thinking this guy was hurt somewhere; burned by someone; wounded deeply.

The truth of the matter is that we’ve all been hurt and life is risky. The benefits of fellowship far out-weigh the occasional pains of strife. Get a life, kemo sabe … join your church … stop hiding. Even a hero like the Lone Ranger needs a Tonto!