If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.
This was an African proverb that our squad coach Matt told us at debrief after Month 1. Since that moment this quote has been on repeat in my mind as I begin to learn more and more about how the body of Christ functions.
When I read blogs before coming on the race I would always read about how your main ministry is to your team. That you begin to really understand how to live in community. And you begin to learn how to love, forgive, and urge your teammates to greatness. And this and that. Yada yada yada. I didn’t really understand this. Yeah, of course you minister to your team because you live with them, but I’ve lived with people all my life. What is the difference? My main mission: I just want to go on the race and grow!
So that was my mentality going in andddddd coming out of month 1 I felt really drained and frustrated. I desired in month 1 to grow more and more in my relationship with God. I spent a lot of time seeking Him. Cause that is how you get something right? You want it go get it. At least that is how I have always thought. So as month 1 went by sure I grew in my walk with The Lord, but it wasn’t until month 2 and 3 that I realized how much I really missed out on and didn’t understand.
Then I heard this quote and things began to click. I can run this race alone, try to get as far as I can as quick as I can, grow in many ways, but end up hurting the overall growth of the body in many ways. OR I can go with friends, rejoicing in the process, encouraging them when they need encouraging, being encouraged by them, teaching, being taught, mourning during tough times, praising them, and become a part of a growing healthy body.
This is tough for me. It is very easy for me to want to be prideful. My flesh says run as fast as you can so YOU can experience this and that, and grow more “spiritual”. If a brother or sister in Christ (someone apart of the body) is lagging behind, well I’ll pray for them to come out of this situation and I can seem concerned, but I’m not gonna make an extra effort to pull them along because what if that slows me down. If a brother or sister in Christ (someone apart of the body) could be seen as ahead of me? Just ignore them. If anyone tries to give them praise just disregard it, because I don’t want to push anyone up any farther ahead of me. Because then that would mean I would admit someone is growing more than me! Eeeek! Scary thought.
But that is all very selfish. And God’s Word says otherwise. 1 Corinthians 12: 26 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together: if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” Hold up. So you mean if someone is suffering I don’t only do the bare minimum (what I can do and not feel guilty for not doing more), but I actually take on the suffering with them? I guess that makes sense, if your arm is broken it is impossible for the rest of your body to ignore its suffering. But I think it is important to note in the same sense your leg doesn’t bear the weight of healing your arm. For it is impossible for your leg to heal your arm, but it will suffer through this time with the arm. So suffering doesn’t mean bearing the weight of the actual healing and feeling like you must provide the cure, because that is a burden the leg cannot bear. The leg can simply suffer with the arm. Not detaching itself from the body to avoid suffering with the arm, and at the same time not allowing the arm to withdraw and suffer alone. But sticking by its side, loving, encouraging, and even teaching through the trial.
“If one member is honored, all rejoice together.” So you mean if someone is honored we actually rejoice? But if they are honored doesn’t that mean they are lifted up higher than me? Then doesn’t that mean I don’t look as good? Only if you don’t have a correct understanding of the body. For when you are a part of the body you are no longer an individual fighting for your own cause, but you are One body glorifying The Father. And when that person is honored, the rejoicing isn’t because of that person but because of the work that was done through them. You begin to realize that if someone does something great it is a win for the Kingdom! Not a win for that person and just someone else passing you on the ladder of greatness.
So suffer with your brothers and sisters. Rejoice when they are honored! For we need a healthy growing body. Not one with the poison of pride and envy, but one flourishing with humility and grace. I challenge us all daily to look at the body as a whole. For if we all do this and begin to ponder how to help others, then you actually don’t have to worry about yourself anymore. Example: If you go to a church of 100 people and everyone is looking out for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people in the church then you will have 99 people caring for you. I may be from Kentucky but I think 99 is more than 1 which should mean all your needs would be provided for more than you could ever provide for yourself. Think what would happen if the whole body bought into this! If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.
I also ask you all to keep in prayer my squad mates who still need to meet their April 1st deadline! Kim Grady, Derek West, Liz Whitfield, Taylor Melchert, Gina Neuville, Derek Carlson, Chris Qualls, Shayne Smith, See Eun Kim, Lindsey Schlingman, Michelle Calderon, Mandy Gummels, Hannah Riley, and Nathan Wacker. All of their blogs are easily accessibly if you click to view my squad. Pray over them and pray about financially supporting them! Thanks!
