No driver wins a NASCAR race on their own. To accomplish great things we all need others and a supporting cast to help us succeed and reach our goals. In NASCAR there is an army of individuals who work together to accomplish their one goal. There’s the crew chief, engine specialist, tire specialist, the pit crew, engineers, spotters, truck drivers, fabricators, engine builders, the list goes on and on. The same can be said for you. The same can be said for me. We need each other. Together, we’re better.
1 Corinthians 12:17-20 says “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.” This fits so well into the NASCAR analogy. The tire specialist doesn’t necessarily understand what’s needed to make sure the fuel is a specific grade or mixture for peak performance. The spotter doesn’t speak into the intricacies of engine performance. The one responsible for cleaning the windshield in the pit doesn’t drive the car. But, together each individual on the team works shoulder to shoulder striving for, and attaining excellence.
We weren’t created to go through this life alone. This was addressed in the very beginning of our story. After God created Adam, the heavens, the earth and everything in-between, He declared “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) That’s not just true in the case of Adam and Eve, husband and wife. That’s true for you and I today as brothers and sisters in Christ. We need each other. When parents are mourning over the sudden loss of their young child, they need support. When the high-school student is distraught over some rude comments on social media, they need to be encouraged. When the business owner is distraught over the amount of red at the bottom of their P&L statement, they need the wisdom from the wise.
We were meant to walk hand-in-hand together. Walking side by side, we support. Walking side by side we encourage. Walking side by side we endure together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Brothers and sisters, please don’t try and walk through this life alone. If you’re struggling in the water and trying to do the doggie-paddle on your own to survive, you will most likely drown unless there is someone there to throw you a life preserver.
We don’t only come along side each other when we’re struggling. We walk together to grow. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” The original Hebrew of the word sharpen is chadad, when translated along with being sharp means to be alert and keen. That’s an interesting thought. Not only do we come along side one another when we need help, we are called to do so because it sharpens us and keeps us alert. We’re strengthened when we join together. Mom’s coming together over The Word and a cup of coffee keeping each other accountable. It looks like men joining together over their lunch period to pray together for each other. How wonderful it is when students come together, grow and are able to see our world through the lens of God’s holy standards!
Dear friends, I encourage you to embrace the commands given in scripture to not walk alone. I believe many of you could easily name someone you could share your struggles, proclaim your joys and even laugh over the absurdities of your day with. If you can’t even fathom the concept of being close to someone on that level, I hope that you would ask our Father to show you who that person may be. He doesn’t want you to miss out on the joy of growing and sharing together.
Father God, thank you for Your Word that shows so clearly the importance of walking side by side. I boldly ask that you equip each and every one of us with the tools and Godly insight needed to encourage, strengthen and sharpen each other as brothers and sisters. Amen.
