Iron Sharpening Iron

Read Proverbs 27:17

17          As iron sharpens iron,
                  so one person sharpens another. (NIV)

The very first thing God reckoned was not good about his creation was human aloneness. Everything else ticked the boxes, but that first human being was not complete without another human being. And so we recognise that we are people in relationship with one another.

We may rebel against this and become virtual hermits, but this is to reduce our humanity. We may prefer some company above others, but we still need company. We may relish solitary time to ourselves but we still venture from that solitude into relationship.

The proverb today gives us one good reason for sustaining these relationships. We need each other in order to grow. We need others to remind us where we are going wrong and what we are doing right. We don’t live in a social vacuum. We are not the sole judges of our character and work.

The best sorts of relationships are those which help us become the people we have been made by God to be. Rough edges are knocked off, strengths are affirmed. We are kept on track by others who care for us and who care enough for us to speak the truth in love to us.

Discipleship is not for solo flyers. It is a team game.

Blessings
David Reay