Traveling Buddies

“Paul wanted to take him along on the journey.”  Acts 16:3

Trips are more fun when you take a friend.

Why?  Because sharing the journey with others is better than sharing about the journey with others.   (If you need proof, ask the in-laws in my family who for two decades have never sat through a holiday meal without being regaled yet again with tales of a trip my siblings and I took back in college!)  People, places, and events can be explained, but they’re better experienced.  Sometimes, to really get it, you just have to be there.

For his second mission trip, Paul took along Silas as a partner who would shoulder the burden of ministry, as a companion who would assail the strain of loneliness, and as a friend who would share the steps of life.  Soon into their travels, he added young Timothy—a son in faith to encourage, nurture, train, teach, and love.  Timothy was half-Jewish but all-Jesus, a tribute to both God’s grace and the spiritual grounding he had received at home from a Godly grandmother and mom.  “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, also lives in you”(2 Tim. 1:5).  (May this verse be an encouragement to single moms with no spouses and to married moms with unsaved spouses.  Your influence and example are powerful and effective.  God hears your “please” and He will answer.)

Paul could have traveled alone, but he didn’t.  He took along Silas and Timothy because he knew he would grow more in Jesus and show more of Jesus if surrounded by friends with the same faith and focus.  Paul wanted someone to help him along, and he wanted to help someone else along.  That’s what the Christian life should look like—a long line of Jesus-followers being helped along by those ahead and helping along those behind. We should continually be reaching up and learning while reaching back and leading.  No matter how young or old you are in God’s family, you should always being holding hands with at least two others—one you’re learning from and one you’re leading.  Together really is better because sometimes to get it, you just have to be there.

Walking alone might seem simpler, but it’s not stronger.
Take someone along on your journey with Jesus.