Mark 6:7 – Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. (NIV)

Recently, I had to take my year-old collie, Kayley, to Whitehorse, Yukon, for her rabies and booster vaccines. Kayley gets very anxious travelling in the truck, and the two-hour trip each way is especially difficult for her. In light of this, I decided to take one of the other dogs, Sophie, with us. I knew Sophie's presence would be an encouragement and comfort to Kayley, not only in regard to travelling but also when it came to meeting with the vets. Due to COVID-19, we could not go into the clinic, nor would I be able to hold Kayley outside on the lawn, where the examination and shots would be administered. As Kayley does not know the vet very well, and she is still learning to trust strangers, I felt sure that Sophie's help would be invaluable, which it was.

I tied both the girls to two trees, so that they could sit side by side. When the vet and the vet tech came out, I moved away a good six feet and stood speaking calming to Kayley. Sophie greeted the vet and tech happily, with tail wagging, which paved the way for Kayley to respond in a positive fashion. Sophie also stayed close, without getting in the way, while the examination and the shots were given, and Kayley remained calm. Needless to say, pairing the girls made both the trip and the appointment much easier and more successful than if Kayley had had to go through things alone.

Jesus also knows that when we, as His disciples, travel through life in pairs, things go better as well. When one is tired or weak, frightened or unsure, walking together allows the other one to encourage, comfort, strengthen, guide, and offer hope and power. All these are positives as we consider that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)

In light of this, consider the person with whom Jesus has partnered you, and then ask Him to show you how you are doing as a partner. Are you seeking to be a support to them as Christ desires you to be? If so, wonderful, keep growing and going, but if not, why not, and what can you do about it to become the encourager and support that you are called to be?

Perhaps you have once had a partner, but they have moved or passed away, or their lives have gone in a different direction, and you now find yourself alone. You are feeling lonely, perhaps even abandoned. If so, do not give up hope, for God does not desire that we walk this earth alone. He is indeed always with us, but just as He knew that Adam needed an earthly partner, He knows that each one of us, as His disciples, does, too. So be of good cheer, and keep a sharp lookout, for He can be trusted to bring that person, spouse, friend, or whoever they may be, alongside us at just the right moment and in the right place.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You do send us out two by two. Bless those who have a disciple partnered with them, to be the blessing of encouragement and hope that they are meant to be, one to another. Comfort those who may have lost the one with whom they have been walking, and remind them that they are never alone and that You are working on their behalf to ensure that they will have a new walking partner at exactly the right time. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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