but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” NRSV
Americans are a nation of independents. Perhaps simply by how our country and society is structured, we lean toward the idea that we should stand on our own two feet and make our own decisions. We’re not as good in groups (though there are cultures that are). It’s difficult for us, I think, to even think in a group-model, to work together for the good of the group rather than to take off on our own course.
It’s both our greatest strength and our greatest weakness and we need to be mindful. As Christians, there is a strength in being independent (of the culture around us), but also a great weakness (in being independent from the Church . . . and from God). The idea that God saves individuals is actually fairly new to church thought. Not that it’s wrong, only newer. The fact is, there is much in scripture that indicates that God loves groups! The Church, the nation of Israel, the apostles. Groups are mentioned over and over again in scripture. Why? I think because there exists a strength when we gather together in a group.
What is a counselor? A counselor is someone who is qualified to give advice. In most cases, that means someone whose either more mature and has a better grasp of the big picture or someone who has already been through this or a similar situation. In other words, a counselor is someone who has a good chance of predicting the outcomes of certain decisions. We’re not a people to seek out counselors in the sense of really wanting advice. Usually we want confirmation of the decision we’ve already made; we’re not interested in changing course, but rather of continuing down the path we’ve already determined. But the fact is, we are blessed when we learn from the mistakes of those who are older (even if that means spiritually older, but chronologically younger) and wiser than we. There’s actually no value in repeating the mistake that someone else has made, unless we are so hard-headed as so refuse to accept what they have already learned.
As Christians, it would behoove us to gather around us counselors who are older, wiser believers. These are people who are well-versed in the Christian walk, whose lives are transparent and easily measured against scripture, whose goals in life are to be more like Christ. Paul taught:
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NRSV).
If we are prudent, we will find those Christians whose lives are worth imitating and follow them so that someday we can encourage other, less mature Christians to follow us with confidence.
© 2008 Robin L. O’Hare. All Rights Reserved. International copyright reserved. This study may be copied for nonprofit and/or church purposes only without permission when copied in its entirety (including this notice).
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