Two are better than one
I have been working on my upcoming book proposal since I have a pitch to a publisher in November. This will be my first time pitching to a publisher and my first time working on a book versus short stories for collections. As I have been working through all the aspects of the proposal and how to best tell the story, one chapter in particular keeps bringing me back to Ecclesiastes.
“Two are better than one, because they have good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV). This stands out to me because I have never been one to lean on others. I have been described as strong, independent and I don’t know of many that would have described me as one that sought the help or assistance of others. I have always been determined to defeat the world on my own.
I had that same mindset when I started on my adventure on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Not once did I contemplate the dangers of that trek, instead, I focused on not wanting to let the rest of the hikers in our group down. I didn’t want to be the one in the six that held everybody back. I was the second oldest and the only female, the risk was great that I would be “that person”!
Something happened to all of us on that mountain. We started as individuals yet none of us stood alone at the end. There were times when each of us needed to lean on the other. It may have been a distracting conversation about the “best rapper” of all time or the multiple iterations of “trail name” selection. God does not want us to be alone. Our community of believers, regardless where they are on their personal faith journey, are stronger together. As noted, cord made of multiple strands cannot be easily broken. When you conquer that mountain by yourself, you stand alone. Our story was so much more than that…can’t wait to tell you more!
Today, I pray that you surround yourself with those that will help you up when you fall down…because we will all fall down. I pray that you let go of pride and seeking of glory in conquering the world. I pray that you focus on the journey, live in every moment, and not find yourself standing alone at the end of the path.
