It Takes A Village (Run the Race)

By Abi Ruelo

You cannot run your race alone. It takes a village to run your race and finish well. We are all responsible for each other. Do not think you can do it on your own. Everybody plays a role in your life, no matter how much you say you can do it on your own. Do you have a village around you? No man is an island. Leo Buscaglia says, “ The need for connection is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water and food.” You cannot live alone too. As we finish the series of running the race set before us, you already know that there is a prize waiting for you in heaven if you finish well. Remember that you cannot run alone.

Your need for human connection is for survival. Try to take the cellphone of one of the youth and you will see that they will not last even an hour. The question is: do you have the right connections? Do you have the right people around you? Surrounding you?

Ecclesiates 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” These verses are usually used in weddings and marriages. But it is not limited to those.

Two Are Better Than One. Just as athletes rely on coaches and teammates, believers thrive when they walk together in faith. Community multiplies effectiveness in advancing God’s kingdom. And that is why you should always fimd time to gather in your dgroups. Try to find out each of your giftings. When you partner with each other, the whole church body benefits and the Kingdom of God moves forward.

Help Each Other Up. Life’s struggles are too heavy to bear alone. In Jesus, you are called to lift each other up. Remember the paralyzed man who was lowered by his griends from the toof in Mark 2? If not for his friends, he would still be paralyzed. And that is why we ask you to choose the people you surround yourselves with. When you struggle with a problem or are discouraged, I pray there is someone who is there for you. There goes the difference between despair and restoration.

Encourage During Hardship. When Paul and Silas were in prison, they sang hymns together. They could have survived on their own, I am sure. But being together made it easier for the two of them. Their companionship gave them the strength to endure and bear the sufferings they faced. There is a saying that goes, “trouble shared is trouble halved, joy shared is joy doubled.”

Be Strong Against Opposition. You need to have as much defense as offense. That is why you need prayer and fasting and prayers per se, so that you can strenghthen yourself against the attacks of the enemy and stand firm on your beliefs. If everybody is fighting, you will be resilient against the enemy.

The Triple-Braided Cord. When Jesus is at the center of any relationship that you have, you will be unbreakable, unbeatable and unstoppable.

APPLICATION

1. Serve Together in Love

“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” — 1 Corinthians 3:9

Everybody should join hands in ministry projects, outreach and service activities.

2. Restore the Broken

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” — Galatians 6:1

When someone stumbles, respond with gentleness and compassion, guiding them back to Christ instead of judgment.

3. Strengthen One Another

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” — Hebrews 3:13

Speak words of encouragement daily. Build resilience in others by reminding them of God’s promises.

4. Stand Firm Together

“I know that you will stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” — Philippians 1:27

Face trials and opposition as a united front, praying and persevering side by side.

5. Build Christ-Centered Bonds

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

Keep Christ at the center of friendships, marriages, and ministry teams, ensuring relationships remain strong and fruitful.

And when all else fails, run to the Father. Because He is the only one who can pick you up and restore all of your broken pieces together. Leo Buscaglia said, again, “Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a litening eat, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” You have no idea how many time people have wanted to give up on each of their races. Belonging prevents that. You have to have that certain group of people who will be there when you need them. It takes a village to run your race. If you don’t have a village, start building one now.