(Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV) enlightens us to this knowledge, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”
One small crack in any object isn’t necessarily the end of the world, that is just the normal wear and tear that life creates from every day use. However, anything that has multiple cracks in its foundation, would be considered vulnerable. And that’s just how sin is in our lives – it starts as one thing which if left unchecked, can lead us into bigger sins and have more of a negative impact on our individual walk, which thus leaves our foundation (our souls) vulnerable.
At this point in my life, I don’t believe I know a lot, but I do recognize how easy it is for me to identify other people’s issues, problems, or faults in themselves so easily. But also, how easy it is to come up with what seems like a cookie-cutter or black and white solution to their problems, and how frustrated I got when the individual didn’t recognize the solution or was unwilling to do their part to address it. I don’t know if it’s the wanting to support someone or the judgmental critic in me that my upbringing created in me. Or my current career occupation that requires me to identify the problem that children may be experiencing, and in simple words, encourage their parents to do whatever I prescribe to address the issue. I believe we all, as individuals, get so caught up in trying to fix everyone else’s issues that we forget so easily that we are ourselves are flawed human beings as well. How easy it is to point out the flaws in others when the mirror is not on us (Matthew 7:3-5 NIV). But how do we fix this? Is there really any solution for this type of issue? Can anyone that is not us truly help us? Do you trust anyone that is not yourself enough?
I think to answer all of the questions previously stated above is community and relationship. Community with those in your life because God never created anyone to walk this journey we call life alone (Genesis 2:18 NIV). At the foundation of journeying life, especially as a Christian, is having a personal relationship with God. Not a relationship where you know God through your parents, friends, or social media only, but because you sought and found Him, and you came to know Him for yourself (Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT).
Knowing Him includes talking to Him, trusting Him, and walking with Him daily. This can’t be an optional practice but a requirement you demand from yourself in order to journey through this battle we call life. You may be asking why do I need anyone if I have God? Can God not use anything to speak or help us (Numbers 22:21-35 NIV)? In the book of (2 Samuel 12), God used the prophet Nathan to open King David, a man after God’s own heart, to his own sins that he was blind to and put David back on the right path with God. This chapter and parable that Nathan used in this segment of the Bible showcases to us just how severely sin can blind us to our own faults and interfere in our relationship with God. And most importantly, just how important and significant having community as a Christian is.
I myself wouldn’t say I have a community or an extensive support network that I run to when the going gets tough, especially a Christian community locally at that. I believe that’s due to my own upbringing, pride, and fear of reaching out and placing my trust and faith in someone other than myself. And you have your own reasons as well. But the Bible and my own life experiences have taught me just how deep of pit we can put ourselves in and how far we ourselves are willing to let ourselves fall into those pits as well, due to our willingness to reach for help from God and those God has placed in our lives. What I’ve seen in others’ lives and hoped for my own is that the use of a community can support you when life is life-ing, help you see your blind spots, better your relationship with God, and remind you what God intended this life experience to be like…which is with community.
Are you going to carry all that weight alone?
