Exodus 18:18 “Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.” (quoting from Jethro as he spoke to Moses)

I felt ill-equipped to lead the group, but somehow I had drawn the short straw for an assignment far outside my area of expertise. As I bemoaned my predicament, it dawned on me the solution lay right before me. Yes, I was incompetent for the task, but all around me were those highly qualified.

It was time I invest in the quest for advisers. Long story short, after recruiting experts, the job turned out to be rewarding, fulfilling, and successful. And as an unexpected bonus, I gained valuable wisdom.

Thank you, Lord for community, for You never intended us to journey alone. Even heroes of Scripture utilized a village of people as they walked God’s path and grew into faith legacies.

Consider a reluctant Moses. After hearing of God’s intention for him to lead Israel, God calmed Moses’s panic by bringing on board Aaron, whose talents complimented Moses’s shortcomings. (Exodus 4:14). And during the battle, when Moses lacked the physical strength to keep his arms raised, he was immediately surrounded by those who held him up (Exodus 17:8-12). And again, when Moses’s duties of leadership drained his energy, Jethro warned Moses of burnout and saw to it that Moses recruited help (Exodus 18:18).

So friend, if you haven’t done so already, invest in the quest for your people. Find those who desire to elevate you towards God’s high calling.

Track down those who will promote your spiritual growth. Walk with them as you deepen your intimate and loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Imitate those who offer grace and forgiveness freely. Learn from them how to lovingly redirect sinfulness toward redemption.

Then, once your village is established, it is time for you to invest in a different quest. You must now seek those who need encouragement from you. Remember, God did not create us for solitary Kingdom existence. Only a comic on stage finds success as a stand-alone.

Father God, help us surround ourselves with those who will work with us to build up Your Kingdom and glorify you with our lives.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane