Better Together: Seeking God With OthersChikamu

Chase diligently after God.

Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much — Helen Keller

The story of the paralyzed man in Luke, chapter 5 is quite remarkable. Jesus spoke the words “get up, take your mat and go home” to this man and it brought instant healing. But let’s not rush past the previous verses before the miraculous healing. Verses 18 and 19 say:

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

Right in front of Jesus.

Have you ever had the type of friendship where just being in someone’s presence literally took you right in front of Jesus? The kind where you are having a challenging time even sensing God’s presence and leadership in your life only to have others come and grab your arms, pulling you alongside them to meet with the Creator. The type of friends who know they can’t fix you but will do everything in their power to get you to the One who provides comfort.

These kinds of relationships are rooted, intentional, profound, and vital for community. They do not occur accidentally or quickly. They are only produced with a determination that will move through any relational obstacles.  

There is something so special about having community like this in your life. Because we will have days, even weeks where we have little to no energy to even open our Bibles. Having this sort of community around us will not only promote a deeper relationship with God but will ensure that we finish well. 

What is equally exciting is that not only do we get to enjoy community like this but we get to be a provider of it as well. We get to be the hands and feet of Jesus in someone’s life. And how amazing would it be if we were so incredibly committed to a like-minded group of Christ followers that we would go to great lengths to get them to Jesus? 

Life is lonely without those people we can lean on to help shoulder our burdens and us bear theirs. Let’s take a step of faith and not be afraid to get messy relationally. 

Community is so worth it. 

Reflect

• Spend some time in prayer for the community God has placed around you. If you do not have that in your life at this time, pray for the community that you will have one day. Ask God to direct you toward a few like-minded Christ followers who can meet that need in your life and you in theirs.
• Write down any revelation that God speaks to you through today’s Bible reading or devotional.