Following Jesus is a team sport
Photo by Olga Guryanova
One of the biggest benefits I've gained over the last 18 years of following Jesus is the community of others who are trying to follow him, too. This is also one of the hardest parts!
The first community I found among fellow followers was with the woman I'm now married to. We have been on the journey together the longest and in the deepest way. Thankfully, we've also built a spiritual community with our children. And over the years, we've made hundreds of good friends with fellow followers from all over the world, in multiple states and countries, who are like extended family.
Following Jesus is not an independent pursuit. It's not a private spirituality or religion. We get the most out of it when we do it with others. It is a team sport. Over 100 times in the New Testament of the Bible, we are commanded to do things for "one another." We encourage one another, we love and serve one another, and we bear one another's burdens.
But while it is a team sport, it is also a contact sport. We bump up against each other, and this is a good thing. It's not easy, though. But it can be so good for us. What I mean is we inevitably face conflict, but we must work through it. And if we do, the relationship is typically stronger on the other side, and our characters improve.
This community (this team) is essential, good for us, and also challenging to be a part of. But so much beauty and goodness come from being on this team. I wouldn't trade it for anything. If I made following Jesus a solo, individual project of private spirituality where I read a bunch of books, listened to podcasts, prayed, and read the Bible by myself, I could really kid myself that I am doing better than I am. Jesus has taught me the most, challenged me the most, and grown me the most in the context of relationships.
As you pursue learning about and encountering Jesus for yourself, I hope that, eventually and soon, you will find others to do this with. It could be just one person to start, but maybe more. And they don't have to be further along than you. They just need to be a person or people who are willing to learn and grow together. It could be as simple as inviting a good friend, a spouse, a child, or a co-worker to do this with you, to be your team.
