Faith Was Never Meant to Be Lived AloneSample

Day 1 – We Don’t Choose the Crew in the Boat

Following Jesus is not a solitary journey. From the start of his ministry, he called his disciples not only to walk with him, but to walk together. This teaches us that the community of faith is part of God’s design for our spiritual formation—even when that means living alongside people we would never have chosen as fellow travelers.

When Jesus called the first disciples, they were very different from one another: Peter and Andrew were impulsive fishermen, Thomas often doubted, Simon the Zealot was a revolutionary, and Matthew was a tax collector in service to Rome (Matthew 10:2-4). From a human perspective, they had nothing in common and could even be considered natural enemies. Yet Jesus gathered them into the same boat and formed them as brothers.

Here we discover something essential: we don’t choose our spiritual family; God does. Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 12:18 (NIV): “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” It’s not about affinity, likability, or convenience. Following Jesus means learning to love, serve, and bear with even those who think differently, come from another background, or make us uncomfortable. In fact, it is often those difficult relationships that God uses as a chisel to shape our character.

Jesus himself taught this in John 13:34-35 (NIV): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The mark of discipleship is not knowledge or gifts, but visible love within the community. This love becomes even more powerful when it extends to those we would least expect to include in our lives.

And this love is not selective. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), Jesus confronts our tendency to decide whom we will love. True Christian love is demonstrated toward those we did not choose—even those who challenge or wound us. That is why Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 (NIV): “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” When we serve and love the difficult brother or sister, the one who thinks differently or even the one who has hurt us, we are loving Christ directly.

Following Jesus in community means recognizing that he has placed those people in your boat. It is not a coincidence. He wants to form you through them, and he wants to form them through you. Discipleship does not happen in comfort, but in the friction of learning to love as Jesus loved us.

For today’s reflection:

• Am I loving only those I like in my church?
• What is Jesus showing me about that difficult person he has placed on my path?
• What practical step can I take today to show love to someone I wouldn’t normally choose to love?