Four Legs Are Better than Two

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Chan walked into the six-inch-deep stream right behind his friend Oliver. The water filled his shoes and stuck his pants to his ankles. The round stones shifted under his feet as he slogged through the water.

Further downstream the rocks became larger and rougher, the ground more uneven, and the water muddy. Chan felt around with one foot before taking each step. Even when he found a good rock, sometimes the surface was slick.

Suddenly his foot slipped. He fought for balance, but he fell with a huge splash.

Oliver hurried back to him. “Chan, are you okay?” he asked, reaching down to help Chan to his feet.

“I’m fine,” Chan said. “I mean, besides being so wet.” He laughed and tried not to cry. His elbow hurt, and he had scraped his knee. He wasn’t sure he wanted to keep walking. He would probably just fall again.

“I have an idea,” said Oliver. “Put your arm around my shoulder, and I’ll put my arm around yours. Now let’s try walking in the creek.”

Chan and Oliver took a step forward at the same time. Then another. And another. Suddenly Chan slipped again, but this time Oliver held him up.

After a couple more steps, Oliver slipped, and Chan caught him. They started walking faster and with more confidence, and whenever one of them slipped, the other caught him so he didn’t fall.

“This is fun,” Chan said. “I was scared I’d fall again, but now I feel safe.”

“Maybe we can help each other out of the water too,” Oliver said. “You know, like Pastor Evans was talking about in church last week. He said Christians need to hold each other up spiritually when we start to fall. That’s why going to church and having Christian friends is so important.”

“How can we hold each other up spiritually?” Chan asked. He thought about it. “I know! We could talk about what we read in the Bible.”

“Yeah, and we can share stuff we’re struggling with or worried about and pray for each other,” added Oliver.

“That sounds like a great idea,” Chan said, holding on to his friend as he walked across another slippery rock. “We’re stronger together!”

–Amy Glendinning

How about you? Do you ever feel like the Christian life is too hard? Do you forget to read your Bible or have trouble praying? Maybe you’re discouraged about struggles in your life. Jesus never meant for you to walk with Him alone. Become friends with other Christians and talk often about Jesus and His promises in the Bible so you can encourage and support each other as you walk with Him.

Today’s key verse: Two are better than one…For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Christians can help each other