PEOPLE POWER

Paddling alone?

'Whatever you have commanded us we will do...' Joshua 1:16 (NIV)

One of my favorite places is the river at Henley-on-Thames.  Hubby and I have taken several one day holidays there, because there is nothing quite so charming as 'messing around in boats'.  

On our last visit to the river, I took a photograph of a man who was paddling his own canoe and appearing to struggle.  He was alone, with no help or assistance and he almost seemed out of breath while he paddled.  He was getting to where he needed to go, but on his own it was proving to be very challenging.  

It's hard to do most jobs alone.  And it's even more difficult if you are leading people and they don't seem to want to follow.  Being a teacher is one of the hardest jobs.  For me, teaching adults was a joy, it was easy to get them to 'stay on task' but when I taught 14-19 year old boys, it was much more challenging. And at times quite hellish.  

While planning lessons and preparing resources, you constantly had to think about classroom management.  And there were days when all the planning and preparation simply went out of the window when one of the students decided to 'kick off' or 'play up'. But I thank God that overall, I had the co-operation of most of the children, most of the time.

Having the cooperation of others isn't easy, and I'm sure that this was one of Joshua's fears. But the people provide him with affirmation and agree to support him.  He had told them what God had said and given them a vision for the future.  They must have been excited for they agreed wholeheartedly that they would obey his commands and follow him.  

Whatever job you are doing, you need support from other people.  Even creatives, writers and artists, the most solitary of careers, need support and often get this by joining writing groups and art clubs.  No man is an island and it's hard to also 'go it alone'.

Never underestimate the power of other people for support and understanding.  Never think that you can 'make it,' without anyone.  Never feel that you are so ultimate, that you don't need a second opinion.

Father, it's so easy to 'go it alone' but when you give us purpose and call us into service, you also put people around to journey with us.  Teach us to accept that these people are vital to your call and not a hindrance.