Better together

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. –Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV)

My foxhole meets on Thursday mornings. We usually discuss some section of scripture that one of us has been camped in during the week. Often, parts of that discussion find their way into this space. We didn’t cover any Bible verses this week….

It was the first week in several where all six of us had been in attendance. There were trip reports to review, family updates to be heard, and some grandbaby bragging. There were political jokes, health status updates, sharing of spiritual and relational challenges, and an in-depth analysis of the best places to pick up some fried chicken (note: the best chicken doesn’t always come with the best sides, so be prepared to make more than one stop!).

So we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. –Romans 12:5 (NET)

We enjoyed being together and catching up. I think that’s known as fellowship. In the midst of that, one of our number casually mentioned that he might have had a small heart attack the day before and needed to call his doctor after we were done to see if he could get in for some tests. All other topics took a back seat as we rallied around our brother and spent the next few minutes in dedicated prayer over his heart, his spirit, and his family.

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. –James 4:14 (NIV)

Minutes later, we got a text message from the man’s wife. She knew we were together and she knew we’d be praying. She had just gotten word from a longtime friend whose adult son struggles with mental health issues. The son had attempted suicide by driving his car off a bridge. The car was totaled, but the young man walked away with minor injuries. Realizing he is under deadly enemy attack, yet was spared by God for a reason, and that his parents are in turmoil over his situation, we went back into immediate, full-on prayer mode.

Assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them. –Matthew 18:19-20 (WEB)

Like our meeting, my post is a bit scattered this week. I’ll try and tie it together with these three points:
(1) Life is short and fragile. Don’t take it for granted.
(2) We’re better together. God never intended for us to walk this path alone.
(3) Find your guys. As goofy as we can all be, we need each other.

Blessings y’all.