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There's a profound truth woven throughout Scripture that we often overlook in our individualistic culture: we were never meant to walk this faith journey alone. While independence and self-sufficiency are celebrated virtues in modern society, the Kingdom of God operates on an entirely different principle—the principle of fellowship, community, and bringing others along.

Think about the epic tales we love, like *The Lord of the Rings*. Galadriel, in her quest to defeat darkness, tries to go it alone. Her solitary mission creates ripple effects that reach far beyond what she could imagine, consequences that echo for thousands of years. It's only when the Fellowship comes together—recognizing that darkness can only be defeated through unity—that victory becomes possible.

We're living in similar times today. Darkness, confusion, uncertainty, and fear seem to press in from every direction. Yet simultaneously, we're witnessing something remarkable: a movement of Light. God is stirring hearts, drawing people to Himself in unprecedented ways. Some are beginning their faith journey for the first time; others are returning after years away. This isn't just about individual conversions or local church growth—it's a Kingdom movement that transcends geography and denomination.

And here's the beautiful part: we're all invited into this fellowship. We don't have to go alone. In fact, we shouldn't.

When Ministry Interrupts Your Plans

Luke 8 gives us a fascinating glimpse into how Jesus operated. Picture this: Jesus has just returned to Galilee, and the crowds are ecstatic. Suddenly, Jairus—the leader of the local synagogue, essentially the mayor of the area—falls at Jesus' feet, desperately begging Him to heal his twelve-year-old daughter who is dying.

This is a massive opportunity. If a synagogue leader becomes a follower, imagine the influence! The entire city, perhaps the whole region, could be transformed. Jesus' disciples must have been thinking, "Finally! This is our big break!"

So they start moving urgently toward Jairus's house. Time is of the essence. A little girl's life hangs in the balance.

Then Jesus stops.

In a crowd where everyone is pressing in, touching Him, jostling for position, Jesus asks, "Who touched me?"

Peter, ever the pragmatist, basically responds, "Are you serious? Everyone is touching you! We've got places to be!"

But Jesus knows something different has happened. Power has gone out from Him. Someone has been healed.

The Woman Nobody Noticed

That someone was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had spent everything she had on doctors and healers, but nothing worked. She was poor, alone, and deeply shamed. Religious leaders taught that her condition was divine punishment, making her someone to avoid at all costs.

Yet she pushed through the hostile crowd. Can you imagine what she endured? The whispers, the shoves, the dirty looks. "What are YOU doing here?" "Go home where you belong!"

But she was relentless in her pursuit of Jesus. And it paid off. Her entire life changed in a moment.

Here's where we need to pause and consider something profound: Jesus' greatest impact through your life will probably come at a time you're least expecting it.

Jesus was on His way to what seemed like a more important mission—saving a prominent leader's daughter. Yet He stopped for the one person everyone else ignored. He made time for an interruption. He was present.

The Twelve-Year Connection

Meanwhile, at Jairus's house, news arrives: "Your daughter has died. Don't bother the teacher anymore."

But Jesus says, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

When they arrive, Jesus takes only Peter, John, James, and the girl's parents inside. To the mourners, He says, "She's not dead; she's just sleeping." They laugh at Him nervously, knowing she's truly gone.

Then Jesus takes her hand and calls out, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returns, and she stands up, alive.

Here's something beautiful to notice: the woman had suffered for twelve years. The girl was twelve years old. For twelve years, God had been orchestrating this incredible day. How many of our prayers has God already picked the day He's going to answer? How many Kingdom moments has He already laid out for us to respond to?

The Most Important Part We Miss

But here's what we often overlook in these intertwined stories: "Jesus did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother."

In a moment of impact—a moment of grace, mercy, and the miraculous—Jesus says to those around Him: "Come with me. You should see this. You should experience this."

Jesus constantly brought His disciples along for the journey. He didn't hoard experiences or keep His ministry to Himself. He invested in others, showed them how it was done, and invited them into moments that would shape them forever.

The Legacy of Being Brought Along

Fast forward to the Book of Acts. In Joppa, a beloved follower named Tabitha (which means "gazelle") has died. She was known for her kindness and service to the poor. The believers send for Peter urgently.

When Peter arrives, he makes everyone leave the room. He kneels, prays, and then says, "Tabitha, get up!" She opens her eyes, sits up, and is restored to life—in remarkably similar fashion to how Jesus raised Jairus's daughter.

The news spreads throughout Joppa, and many people come to believe in Jesus.

Peter could do this because Jesus had brought him along years earlier. Jesus invested in him, showed him, taught him—even when Peter got things wrong, questioned at the wrong times, and misunderstood what was happening.

God is a "connecting the dots" kind of God. We have no idea what He wants to do through us or when He wants to do it.

How Do We Bring Others Along?

It comes down to relational equity. If you don't have it, earn it.

Make time for that coffee. When you plan wing night, invite someone you wouldn't normally invite. Have someone over for dinner. Invite someone to join your small group. Go for a walk. Send a message. Invest your time, gifts, and abilities in someone. Show grace and mercy.

All of these have one thing in common: being present.

Being present means showing up consistently, even when it's inconvenient. It means stopping for the interruptions. It means valuing people over programs and relationships over results.

The Call Forward

God's calling is bigger than just ourselves. We're part of a fellowship, a Kingdom movement that extends far beyond what we can see or imagine.

So here's the question: Who can you bring with you on mission? Who in your life doesn't know God yet? Who will you invite to pursue God alongside you?

The journey of faith was never meant to be walked alone. Jesus modeled this truth repeatedly. He brought others along, invested in them, showed them the way, and trusted them to continue the work.

Now it's our turn to do the same—to bring someone with us, to invest in their journey, to be present in their lives, and to watch as God connects the dots in ways we never could have imagined.

The fellowship is waiting. Who will you invite?