When You Think You Can Go it Alone, Consider This

In this world of go-getter boss babes you might think that we are all independent, self-made women.

As women after God’s heart, our story should be different.

Have you ever heard of a lone ranger Christian?

Me either.

And there’s a reason for that. All throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament we find disciples (Christians) preaching the word, healing the sick, spreading God’s love, all in the context of community.

Even Paul, whom some considered a rebel in many respects, had the support of Barnabas, and many others. So much that he often gave them a “shout out” in his letters.

Though these men and women might not have been physically present with him, Paul knew that there were other Christians supporting him and his work.

And consider the Son of Man. Jesus, being God in the flesh, also had a community supporting him. Granted it may not have been a large one, and there were times he certainly felt alone, but nonetheless, he was keen to rally others around him. He sought out community and longed to create it among us.

While the world might encourage us to make power moves on our own, allow me to remind you of the power of community.

We need God

But before we go any further, this feels like a good time to point out an important truth. We need God. On our own, we think we can go places, but it’s truly God’s plans for us that will prevail.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

- Proverbs 19:21

And that’s not to say that God will twist your arm to get you to do His will. It’s simply that He has great plans in store for us (Jeremiah 29:11) and we would do well to embrace those plans.

And that brings me to the second point.

We need each other

God made us to be in community with others. From the earliest days with Adam and Eve, we see God placing high value on companionship and togetherness. Bottom line: we were made to be in relationship with each other.

Think of all the “one another” scriptures in the Bible.

Love one another (John 13:34)

Instruct one another (Romans 13:8)

Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

Carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)

Encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13)

Spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24)

And so many more.

No longer should we allow the world to tell us we don’t get along with each other. (Women, I’m sure you’ve heard this). Or that we’d be better off alone.

The Word tells us differently.

And we get to choose which one we will follow – the world or the Word.

You see, God had something beautiful in mind when he created us. And when we live out these one another principles in community with each other we get to experience something amazing. Blessings upon blessings flow.

Even this space on the internet is an example of how God can use those in community to spread his Word and be a light. We shine brighter together!

So, rather than buy into the self-made rhetoric, let us embrace sisterhood. Let us dare to be bold, to choose community over competition. Because, sisters, there’s no denying it. We are better together.

We often forget to celebrate those persons who make up our "one another". Give a shout out in the comments to a sister friend that has been there for you, shining God's love and grace all over your life.