"As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another."
(Proverbs 27:17)
Image courtesy of makeitthrough.org
Too often we go it alone. And usually when that happens, we suffer, as the forces of the world smash up against us day after day. Naturally, facing such fury alone, we weaken. And if we take the solitary path too long, we risk being overwhelmed by bitterness or indecision or depression or fear, ultimately swamping down our progress to some sort of near paralysis. As U2's Bono exhorts a friend who goes it alone in one of the band's more famous ballads: "You've got stuck in a moment, and now you can't get out of it."
Leaders, in particular, if not careful, can regularly fall into such a trap. Some times this is due to the nature of the position, other times due to the press of issues before us, and in other instances, simply because we don't know where to start in explaining our situation to another.
But God made it clear from the beginning that it is not good for man to be alone. So He has given us the gift of one another. And through the analogy of the passage above, just as there is mutual benefit in rubbing two iron blades together, so is there means forward in fellowship with one another, particularly in fellowship that is sharpened by interaction around the word of God. For wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there, too, adding His grace and blessing to the equation.
This approach was reinforced earlier this week when several family members and I viewed the Oscar-nominated picture Selma. This movie provided insight into the personal challenges that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. faced in addressing major wrongs of our society. On several occasions in the film, we see MLK at a near breaking point, as he feels the full force of the world in all its ugliness press upon him as the figurehead of the Civil Rights Movement. But in each of these moments, he intentionally takes measures to NOT go it alone, but rather, to seek fellowship. In one scene, he makes a late-night call to a friend, asking her to sing him a soothing gospel to tend to his fearful soul. In another, he gains strength through the rock hard support of his wife, despite his waywardness. In another, through the good counsel and timely reminder of a relevant biblical passage from a trusted friend, MLK becomes emboldened to persevere through his fear to committed action for the greater cause. And always, by turning to prayer, he finds guidance, strength, and support. Now, if someone of MLK's stature didn't go it alone, why should you?
Without a doubt, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a tremendous leader, speaker, and human being -- arguably one of the greatest of all time. But Selma helped me to draw this conclusion for consideration: MLK's discipline to seek fellowship amidst trial was perhaps his greatest strength, and perhaps the primary reason for his lasting legacy today. And that's a discipline that any of us can choose to develop. Now, given such regular "sharpening," just imagine how effective of an instrument that you might be in Your Maker's hands!
Dear Lord,
I thank you that I need not go it alone. Please help me to always remember that and to build into my life the disciplines of Christian fellowship, prayer, and interaction with Your word. Strengthen me for the path ahead. Sharpen me in your word. Make me an instrument of your peace.
Amen.
