Trying to do the job alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Make It Stand Out.
Most practicing christians recognize the importance of building a solid faith yet rarely are we ever taught the consequences of not being equally diligent in building community. There once was a man who was a bricklayer by trade who experienced serious injuries while working. On his claim form, he simply wrote the words, “Trying to do the job alone”. Obviously the insurance company reached back out to him to get more details and this is what he responded with,
“I am writing in response to your request for additional information for my insurance claim. In block number three of the accident claim form I wrote, "trying to do the job alone" as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain that statement more fully. I trust the following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carrying the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which was attached to the side of the building at the sixth-floor level.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out, and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. --- You will note in block number 22 of the claim form that my weight is 150 pounds.
Due to my surprise at being yanked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded up the side of the building at a very rapid rate of speed.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
By this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel --- Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel then weighed approximately 50 pounds.
I refer you again to the information in block number 11 regarding my weight. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles. I then landed ON pile of bricks… and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks in pain, unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my presence of mind, and let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope so it crashed down upon me and broke both of my legs.
I hope the information I have given you is sufficient. Please know that I am finished trying to do the job alone!”
There is a powerful idea that the Bible talks about everywhere in its pages and its simply this: isolation weakens, and connection strengthens. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, “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.” So let me ask you, do you have anyone in your life who will be there when you fall? Do you have friends who you can count on? Do you have friends who can count on you when they fall?
Another pastor once told me that we would need to do less evangelism if we did more community. Isolation will always weaken us, but when we are connected by the grace of God and the love of God, we will be known as disciples of Jesus and it will bring glory to God and further his Kingdom. So be encouraged and start intentionally building friends in the kingdom of God so that you can be finished trying to do the job alone!
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1. Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. What kinds of friendships in your life are giving you the most joy and support? How did these friendships come into your life?
2. Does prayer play an active role in your friendships? If not, how can you incorporate it?
