Pair Up

Calling his disciples, he began sending them out two by two…Mark 6:7

This story in Mark’s Gospel is a dozen lessons all wrapped into one.  It’s about trust, teamwork, awareness, truth and gratefulness.  As I reflect on these verses it provides an occasion to look at my relationship with the Lord and see which pieces of my discipleship are in order and which have a few kinks! This line highlights the instructions given to a group of Christians a couple thousand years ago, but the instructions really haven’t changed and they apply to our personal discipleship all these years later.

One day a while back I opened to this passage and it was right about the time Dave and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary.  After reading that Gospel story, I was reminded that it was a great day to celebrate the fact that God sent me out in a new way with the other part of my pair!  Once we said “I Do” we headed out together to help each other trust and serve.  We lead each other and help each other decide when we need to stick with something and when we need to shake the dust from our sandals and move on. When bills are high and struggles come and things don’t go like we expected, we remind each other that we have enough and God will fill in the gaps.  I’m sure just like us, the disciples didn’t always see eye to eye with the other half of their pair but they had to stick to the mission.  If the world tries to deceive us or our children we have to guide each other toward the truth.  Together we have to discover and share the good news of Jesus with each other and those we love.  Thank goodness for pairs and clear instructions!

Building his church on earth is our work but it isn’t work he intended us to do alone so it’s important to ask yourself;  who is the other half of my pair?  Who am I traveling and sharing my discipleship with on my journey to heaven? I heard a priest give a sermon once where he stated that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with.  So in light of his words and this Gospel it makes me stop and consider who all my pairs are.  Growing in holiness is a journey that takes great companions. In your prayers today think about your people and stop and say, “Dear Father, thank you for loving me enough to send me a helper and show me the way to know you, love you and serve you in this life so I may be happy with you in the next.”

A Seed To Plant:  So, who is the other half of your pair and what are you doing together to make this world more Christ-like?​

Blessings on your day!