I’ve said several times before that I was heavily into the gaming industry. I still enjoy it, but not as much as I used to. However, I have been thinking about the concept of parties in games. Now some might be mistaking this word’s meaning like I did the first time I saw it used this way, which was when reading about forming a party in Ultima 3.
I was thinking about the party that one can usually think about where you sing “Happy Birthday” or some other celebration of that sort. The party in this case refers to a group of individuals united in the cause of an adventure. The party would have to work together to survive.
What does this have to do with the faith? I think, everything. We as Christians are relational in nature and we know that all people are to a degree as we are made in the image of the God who is relational in himself. This doesn’t mean everyone is a socialite. I am an introvert definitely and I prefer being alone, but we all need company. Aristotle valued friendship highly for a reason.
There is no place in Christianity for Lone Ranger Christians. No one is to fight this battle alone. Oh you might fight some battles by yourself partially, but you are never fighting alone. In fact, even if it is supposedly just you, there are people engaged in prayer all around you that are working with you.
This is also what is going on in Hebrews. Hebrews 11 lists a Hall of Fame of heroes of the faith. All of these were people that the readers would look up to. The writer then takes us on in Hebrews 12 to say that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Who are those witnesses? The very heroes that he was just mentioning.
We never stand alone then. I will say though that when we are in teams, we do need to learn to work together. In apologetics, I don’t touch science usually. If I have to, I will, but there are others more suited to that. I belong to an apologetics organization around here that specializes in science. It’s fine with me. They know I specialize in theology and philosophy and it makes a beautiful marriage.
If you try to master everything, it will only put a huge burden on you. I believe you should have the basics at least in other areas, but choose one that you really want to emphasize in and go for that. There are some people that I will never reach their skill level in their area, but it’s fine. We build each other up. Where I am lacking, they step in. Where they are lacking, I step in.
My main point though? You’re never alone. You are with the party and you are on the cause. You are out there to spread the truth to the world. Why not work with your teammates? Why not build each other up and follow all the “one another” passages in the epistles?
It will make reaching your goal easier, and a lot more enjoyable.
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