It is not good for man to be alone. Now I know that when this was written in Scripture, it was about Adam and his need for a companion. But I think it speaks to a greater need. Let’s call it part of the human condition. And I think that’s worth exploring.
When Jesus sent his disciples out to do ministry, he sent them in pairs. When I read that, I thought about it. Why would the Lord choose that way of sending people out into ministry? Maybe there really is something to this idea of partnership when it comes to building the Kingdom of God. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an Adam-and-Eve situation where you’re partnering with a spouse. Though it can be that too. It could also be a partnership with other believers who feel led to the same kind of ministry. The point is, there was a purpose behind having a partner. It’s not explicitly laid out in Scripture, but it’s logical. After all a three-strand rope is not easily broken. We are stronger when we stand together in unity and work as a body does in concert.
Even Paul, when he went out on missionary journeys, went with others. Rarely do we see solo missions in Scripture. Of course, there are some things that could only be done alone, like Jesus’ sacrifice or David slaying Goliath. Those were solo actions. But so many other events in scripture involved groups ministering to others or partners going on a journey together. Even the kings and prophets in the Old Testament generally had helpers, generals, or people around them. Only a few were called to walk completely alone, or at least alone for a season, and you can usually see the wear on them. Think about Elijah. He felt very alone for a time—so alone, in fact, that he told God he was the only one left in Israel who believed and stayed faithful. But God let him know there was still a remnant. And later Elijah had Elisha, who traveled with him for a time.
My point is that ministry rarely should be done in isolation. It’s not one person act of trying to build the Kingdom of God all on their own. There is strength in numbers and in us coming together. It says where two or three are gathered in my name, there will I be in the midst of them. That doesn’t mean God isn’t with us when we’re on our own, but there is something special about the unity and agreement that happens when we come together, whether to worship and glorify him or to build his Kingdom.
One benefit of partnership is that the load feels lighter when it’s shared by two, and even more so when it’s carried by three or more. It spreads out the weight, the responsibility, and the effort. We often think that God has called us to carry our calling, or the ministry he’s laid on our hearts, completely in our own strength and ability, and on our own. But rarely has God called you to do what he’s called you to do in isolation. He has called you to build the Kingdom with other members of the body of Christ.
There’s no need to feel like you have to go all on your own, or that it has to be some specific person who goes with you. The Lord will provide other believers to come alongside you, people who have that same burden on their hearts to do the work God has laid on yours. He’ll have you work together. That’s the beauty of the body of Christ. There are many parts, but all of us are working together to build his Kingdom.
My friend it is not good for us to be alone, we are one with Christ and each other. We should live and minister like that, stand in unity – love another as scripture tells us, bear each other burdens, and be the beautiful bride of Christ – his church – his people he has called us to be. Working together to build his kingdom.
