Swap Blog

Sometimes you just have to do something on your own. As much as we depend on, and USUALLY need, the help of others there are something’s that just have to be done by one person. As much as the work of God is about the entire body being involved and committed, there are times in the lives of most Christians that we are called to accomplish some things by ourselves. These times are when we are in a special or unique situation, due to our position or experience, to accomplish God’s work.

Just a few examples of cases like this are.

1) when the work of God has to be done by one specific person
2) are when there are situations that others do not completely understand
3)the task/s requires the skills and abilities possessed by a single Christian.

Whatever the circumstance, there are simply some things that there is only one person capable of completing. Now, this does not mean that God is limited to one person and that if this single person fails that God and His work fail, no far from that. All I am saying is that there are some things that God calls us to that we specifically are positioned and gifted to accomplish. If we do not accomplish them, God does have a plan, but we are / were solely still the best and brightest option for somethings and some works within the body.

This type of situation may arise because a specific person can best be reached or aided by another specific person. Another case of this situation is when a single person has the particular skill set / experience that is needed to correctly accomplish a task. It may even be as simple as that there is but one person that really has the heart and faith too complete the mission, task or endeavor.

Understand as well that this does not mean that they, the sole worker, must or should be alone in their endeavor. Sure the single worker may have to do the labor and duty themselves, because it is within their personal capacity or call, but they, the sole worker, still needs and requires the support of the people around them. We have to remember that there is more involved in most things then just the required labor. To successfully complete a task there must be planning, ample supplies, and support, even if there is just one person provides the actual labor. Simply, we should equip lone workers with the same amount of supplies and prayer just as we would a entire group that is being sent out to minister.

Many times we can be negligent of our support of people that are on specific, temporary, solo missions. Note that these mission are temporary, there is never a permanent solo mission in the body. The body is compromised of all of the parts working together, we are just saying sometimes there is a job for the big toe alone. No matter how much some may want to be lone ranger Christians, or how different some missions may appear from the norm, they work of God all falls within the work of the body. We are simply saying that there are times that single members have to step out and, though supported by others, minister and work alone. The true pattern is for a person to take on a solo mission, accomplish it’s specific result and then return to the support structure God has built for them.

I personally see a direct example of that style of solo work in the life of Christ. He had many followers that were committed to do many things for Him, and some of them were even more committed after His death and resurrection, but He was the only one that could go to the cross. That was His solo call and duty. He had to go alone, no one could go with Him and none could help Him bare the cost of our sin except Himself. Even with all of heaven behind Him, Christ had to go alone to the cross.

That is a huge call, and one that no human will or could even be called too. However, without even looking to the cross, we can also see a example of a solo mission as Christ prayed before going to the cross.

Luke 22:39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

We see a literal example of Christ going alone a bit further then the others. His “friends”, we all know their failings at this time, could not go those extra few steps with Him to pray. He had to be alone and He alone could pray the prayer that was needed at that time. Sure they could have done a better job of staying awake and praying both for themselves and Christ, but they could not accompany Him those last few steps to where He knelt and prayed. He had to be alone at that time, and only He could do what He was being called to do.

To me that a perfect example of a solo mission, just a few steps more then the others, with others near by supporting the work. One steps out and goes a bit of a distance alone while their support structure stays behind. Then once they have accomplished their work they return to their friends / support structure. The work is accomplished and then they are back within a supportive network. My prayer would be that we have the faith to take those extra few steps and go it alone when needed. I would also pray that we do a better job of being the supporters then the disciples did in this example though.

Have a great day and be strong and courageous will follow God, be on a solo mission or in the support role of others. Never forget that He is there with you no matter the situation.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 22nd, 2005 at 10:47 am and is filed under Faith, Personal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.