“Two are better than one, because 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.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Sometimes you lead and sometimes you follow, but many hands always lead to lighter work, less frustration, group accountability, and strength in numbers.

Many of us are not strong in this area of working together but the joy and responsibility of working and / or serving belongs to everyone! And when we decide to do things alone, we steal that joy from others, inadvertently discouraging them, and often as a side effect, stealing the joy from ourselves.

So many of us see it as a weakness to ask for help, but asking for help is actually a strength of wisdom and Biblical obedience. By asking for help we have the opportunity to equip other people for service Ephesians 4:12, to help others feel valued and explore their gifts I Thessalonians 5:11, to allow others to encourage us and fill in the gaps Exodus 17:12, to keep our pride in check Philippians 2:3, and to make new friends Romans 1:12.

Jesus certainly could have accomplished his mission on his own, but he chose twelve disciples to accompany him. Paul chose men to help him with the daunting task of carrying the Word of Jesus into many nations. Nehemiah strategically organized the workers at the wall to encourage and support each other. And Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses to ensure victory against the Amalekites.

We all have been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit to build up the body of Christ, and we all belong together because we are all better together. Romans 12:4-6 reminds us that “just as our bodies have many parts with their own special function, so it is with the body of Christ. We all belong together and God, in his grace, has given us all different gifts for doing certain things well.”

As we go into this week with many projects and tasks, don’t underestimate the power of asking for help. I’m sure there are many things we can do ourselves. But just because we could, doesn’t mean we should. Be on the lookout for the gifts of those around you and be intentional in how you can engage them in your tasks. Then feel the freedom of God’s Spirit as He unifies your work with a lighter load, a happier soul, and a quicker successful result.

#SaturdaySoulSearch