Lone Rangers need not apply!

There is no room for “Lone Rangers” in Christianity!  Jesus designed the Christian walk to work correctly only in communities. The Lone Ranger seemed to have lots of success working alone, being a comic example of the false virtue of living a solitary lifestyle. However, the masked man had his friend Tonto ready to lend a hand!"  John Donne, a 15th-century Christian writer, wrote the famous words, “No man is an Island”.  Donne’s point was that people needed each other and were better together than in isolation.  The Bible, with good cause, says, “God sets the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:6). The 1960s song with the chorus “I am a rock; I am an island” movingly showcases the absurdity of a person trying to walk the journey of life alone.  The song's conclusion hints at the possible motive driving someone to isolate themselves.  “A rock feels no pain, and an island never cries!”  All human relationships, including those in a Christian community, make us vulnerable to emotional pain.  Emotional pain should be viewed as a normal part of the human experience and never used as an excuse to isolate oneself.  “The man who isolates himself…rages against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1).  Jesus said that the way to show love to Him is to do loving acts towards other Christian.  That’s challenging if you’re not a regular church service attendee. 

Admittedly, hanging out with other imperfect, sinful, immature Christians who are also defectively following the Christian ideals can be trying at best.  A famous Christian leader once said, “As a Pastor, I’ve fantasied about retreating permanently to a cabin in the woods with a 4-meter-high electric fence and two attack dogs trained to keep out Christians!  Then when I start to think more clearly, I realise that there are people who have felt the same way about me at one time or another!”  We all know what it’s like to be injured and feel pain.  The human experience does not allow us to escape physical or emotional discomfort.  Sometimes the injury is self-inflicted.  Other times we’re just at the wrong place at the wrong time, and it is no one’s fault.  The most painful wounds are from a loved one or a fellow church member.  Dealing with our brothers and sisters’ imperfections is part of Jesus’ plan to bring us to maturity.  At times though, the wounds we receive at church can go deep. These injuries will rob us of our peace and joy if not dealt with properly.  In those times, don’t blame God or abandon the church but seek out and spend time with mature, encouraging believers who will walk with you as The Holy Spirit brings you through a season of healing.