Pilgrim Soldier

While we were on holiday I was reading a daily reading book by Jeff Lucas which focussed on the life of King David. It is really interesting with a number of new insights into the man that David was and his life, plus it of course gave me food for thought in my own life.

One of the points that Jeff Lucas raised was that while David was on the run from Saul he called upon God for help and protection, but then he says that:

“he needed more than God to get him through these harrowing days. His emerging friendship with Jonathan…was such a tangible source of strength to him.”

This got me thinking about someone I am in regular contact since coming back to the UK. I speak to him most weeks and he very clearly has a strong faith. However, he has chosen to act out his faith outside of the Christian community. This is not because of a calling to do so but simply because he cannot find a congregation that fits in with his rather rigid view of his faith. On those occasions we touch on this area of his faith it is very clear that he expects everyone else to change their opinion to reflect his thoughts to the extent that he forces his opinion on those who come into contact with him.

This really is a great shame, because he undoubtedly has gifts that would be very valuable to a local congregation and would certainly gain from others. Instead though his thoughts are becoming more and more entrenched.

Just as David needed his very human relationship with Jonathan in order to cope with the problems that he faced in life, so we as Christians need relationships with other believers. We are made for community and its why human relationships are not only the source of such devotion and intimacy, but also why the enemy puts so much effort into trying to destroy them.

Consequently, unless called to a life of solitude by the Holy Spirit we should seek out communities of believers that we can be part of. However, it shouldn’t be on our terms but for the betterment of the community so that the kingdom of heaven is extended.