Category: Boot Camp for Creators & Dreamers

God created people to be relational beings: to have interaction with Him, obviously, but also to interact with those around us. “…The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.'” (Genesis 2:18 HCSB) Although this verse relates to marriage, the first institution God created, its wisdom applies to ALL relationships.

The Bible is full of relationships. Actually, it’s all about relationships. And it’s the Book of God’s relationship to us! God knows us better than anyone, and what He knows is that WE NEED RELATIONSHIPS. Every human being has a basic need and desire to love and be loved, to share, to communicate, to socialize. Even the grumpiest, seemingly most unapproachable person needs to talk to someone! Perhaps that’s why social media is so popular today. (But social media is no substitute for face-to face friendships.)

Two people working together are better able to achieve their goals and realize their dreams, because there is power in two people who are mutually supportive and accountable; two people who can encourage and assist each other. That’s what the “buddy system” is all about. That’s why there are support groups such as AA, and mentoring groups such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters. That’s why a prayer partner can help keep us tuned in to God. And why corporations hope you have a “best friend” at work. Such connections make work more bearable, and life more enjoyable.

“You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 CEV)

God knows. In Genesis 2:18, He declares, in regards to Adam, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” (NLT) In this case, the helper is Eve, his wife; and we believe she helped her husband with his creative pursuits. With this cooperative union between husband and wife, God set the standard for all marriages to come: “A man will leave his father and mother [ in the sense of a new primary loyalty] and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.” (Genesis 2:24 EXB)

According to the One who created men and women, as well as the institution of marriage, a husband and wife should act as one body: two people mutually supporting one another, sharing their hopes and dreams, and working together to reach their full potential. God knows that a man can accomplish far more if his wife is on his side — and vice-versa. Remember Sylvester Stallone’s movie character Rocky Balboa? Rocky felt as though he could take on any opponent in the boxing ring, as long as his beloved Adrian was in his corner.

With her approval and moral support, Rocky eventually realizes (against overwhelming odds) his great dream of becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. Could he have done it alone? Maybe. But that’s not how Stallone saw it when he wrote the script. His message (and ours) is that it’s important for a married person pursuing a big dream to have the love, support, and cooperation of the spouse. Period. So all you couples out there, get together and get it together. Make God the center of your marriage, because “A rope made from three strands of cord is hard to break.” (Ecclesiastes CEV) Then dream together, work together, and succeed together.

And if you’re not married, don’t worry. Find a friend, whether online, on the job, at church, or next door. Recruit your parents, grandparents, an uncle, an aunt, or a cousin twice removed, but  find someone who can share in and support your dreams. If there’s no one around who fits the bill, then tune in to an encouraging television ministry such as TBN’s Praise the Lord program or Joel Osteen’s weekly message. Or find a website such as ours, to help keep you inspired and motivated.

Above all, don’t forget that the Lord also wants to partner with you in every endeavor. He’s “… a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

Please don’t face the challenges of life alone. Every successful creator and dreamer had the support and encouragement of a least one person who believed in both them and their dreams, whether it was a spouse, a parent, a friend, a coworker, a teacher, a coach, a spiritual leader….

As the English poet and clergyman John Donne wrote, “No man [or woman] is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” We must live and work together. And together we must “share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.” (Galatians 6:2 TLB)

“Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor. …Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself.” (Romans 12:10,16 AMP)

Or, to quote some of the lyrics of Bill Withers’ 1972 song “Lean On Me”:

Please swallow your pride,

If I have things you need to borrow.

For no one can fill those of your needs

That you don't let show....

Lean on me, when you're not strong,

And I'll be your friend -- I'll help you carry on.

For it won't be long ...'till I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on.

If there is a load you have to bear,

That you can't carry....

I'm right up the road -- I'll share your load,

If you just call me.

So just call on me, brother, when you need a hand

-- We all need somebody to lean on.

I just might have a problem that you'd understand

-- We all need somebody to lean on.

 

 

Previously: We dreamers and creators need to stand up for what we truly believe in, whether it’s our faith, a seemingly impossible goal, or a project that promises plenty of hard work. And, because those closest to us may not always share our faith, or believe in our dreams and abilities, we need to be ready and willing to stand alone. This truth can mean the difference between success and failure, giving up or going the distance.

Rest assured, should friends and family ever turn their backs on us, God will always be there to encourage and support us through these difficult times. However, being able to stand alone is never sufficient excuse for thumbing our noses at the people around us. In fact, our Heavenly Father never intended for anyone to become a lone wolf.

We were created to interact, encourage, and cooperate with each other. So, although we may experience situations in which we must stand alone, it’s always best if we can find support and fellowship among like-minded people — and enlist their aid in the pursuit of our goals, dreams, visions, and creative endeavors. (Romans 15:5) Stand alone? By all means, if and when we absolutely need to; but if we’re blessed to have faithful friends, affirming family members, and — we hope — more than a few facilitators, then NEVER!

“…One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 TLB)

Life is always easier and more enjoyable when we cooperate, network, and team up. To quote an old Beatles song, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Furthermore, even if we’re standing alone in one area, regarding a particular issue, a creative project, a business venture, or an impossible dream, we needn’t be alone in other areas!

King David faced some of his greatest challenges while standing alone — but he didn’t make a habit of it. He chose not to allow the time he spent in the wilderness, hanging out with God alone, to turn him into a hermit; or his solitary confrontation with Goliath to prevent him from seeking assistance with future challenges. Shortly after slaying the giant, David
recruited a team of other capable and brave heroes, to assist him in further Biblical adventures. His version of “the Avengers” would go down in history as “the Mighty Men of Valor.” (Nick Fury, eat your heart out!)

“And they helped David in his expeditions; for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.” (1 Chronicles 12:21 DARBY)

David — long before he took his rightful place as the leader of God’s people — also benefitted from the unfailing support and friendship of another Biblical hero, who had single-handedly defeated an entire garrison of enemy warriors; a courageous champion who was beloved by all the people, and therefore had an impressive following. Who was this mystery man? His name was Jonathan, and we first meet him in 1 Samuel 13:2.

During that time, King Saul was ruling over Israel. He had actually been chosen by the people to be their first king. He was a tall, handsome, talented, and extremely capable individual, who nonetheless suffered from low self-esteem — an open invitation to that dangerous green two-headed monster of jealousy and envy. Indeed, Saul’s poor self-image marked his downfall, and the beginning of David’s troubles.

King Saul tended to overcompensate (to strive to overcome a sense of inferiority through overt, opposite behavior). In doing so, he disobeyed many of God’s directives — and then made up lame excuses. (We won’t go into all the details here, because you can read a full account of Saul’s rise and fall, in 1 Samuel.) As a result of Saul’s shenanigans, God chose an unassuming Shepard named David to replace him as king.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Once Saul heard the news, he grew increasingly preoccupied with his own personal agenda: he spent most of his days chasing David across the desert in hopes of executing God’s chosen leader! But the two-headed monster of jealousy and envy had been nagging Saul since the first day he met David and realized the young man’s potential; and upon returning victorious from a fierce battle with the Philistines, King Saul witnessed something which infuriated him, a celebration that led him to open wide the door to his own downfall, and let the monster in: “…The women sang to one another as they celebrated, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.'” (1 Samuel 18:7 ESV)

But where does Jonathan fit into all this?

Although Saul was consumed by jealousy and envy, his own son Jonathan — heir to the throne — did the right thing! Jonathan realized that God was with David (and for obvious reasons). So, instead of following in the footsteps of his foolish father, Jonathan vanquished the green two-headed monster, and remained one of David’s truest and most loyal friends — fully supporting his future king.

What’s our point? Both Jonathan and David knew how to stand alone, but they also understood the importance of seeking (and offering) a helping hand. We creators and dreamers should follow their examples. We were never intended to handle the challenges of life alone! And God certainly doesn’t want us pursuing our fondest hopes and dreams all by our lonesome — at least, not if we can help it.

So don’t try to be a lone wolf. Stand alone when and if you must, but remember: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT) “…One person (can) chase a thousand … (but) two people put ten thousand to flight….” (Deuteronomy 32:30 NLT)