Together

Last weekend I enjoyed spending three days with my brothers of Rabbit Creek Church. We ate well, shared many laughs, practiced good-natured competition, strengthened bonds, and worshiped through song and word. It was time well spent. Our Men's Retreat accomplished what the wisdom words of Proverbs promotes.

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

I know very little about metallurgy. I enjoy campfires and own my share of knives, but I have never used fire in such an artistic manner as to craft a blade. But I do understand the message of the wisdom literature text. Blades sharpen blades as they encounter each other. Men (and women) gain much from community. Such things as:

• Companionship
  
• Encouragement
• Accountability (when vulnerable enough)
• Support
• Ears to listen
• Advice (hopefully, more good than bad)
• Reminders that "you matter"

When God created humans, He saw that it was not good for one man (or woman) to be alone. We need each other. Years ago, my pastor spoke these words of wisdom . . . "We can do so much better together than we can apart." Wise words indeed!

Determine to "do life" with others. Stay connected. Participate in community. You need people. People need you.

#ordinarylives

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