For two years running I have attended the XCEL men’s conference at Life Church Bradford with a few guys from church. Both years the journey home for me has been really significant. After a while, one of the guys will ask the question, “What is your main challenge/takeaway from the conference?” We then go round the car each explaining in which way we have been challenged. During last year’s conference I had a real sense we need to be accountable and journey together more than just on the journey home but throughout the year. After chatting with the guys we set up, ‘Band of Brothers’.
The four of us meet every other week first thing in the morning to chat about what is happening in our lives, where we are struggling, where we are seeking guidance from God and to pray together (and to eat of course!). I look forward to Band of Brothers. Meeting up with guys who cheer me on, who I know are there for me, who together we seek God’s best for each other and our community. Guys who are like my brothers.
I am convinced that in life it is vital that we have those ‘brothers’ or ‘sisters’ we ‘do life with’. Who we know have our backs. Who we trust and can be honest with. Who will laugh together but can be serious and listen to your heart.
“If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” African Proverb
I believe it is so important to have a few people who you can truly be honest with knowing they are not going to judge you but will seek to build you up, and seek to support you.
“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 NLT
We can often point to a few friends. That’s not the same as Band of Brothers. I’m talking Proverbs 18 v 24 kind of friends. There is a clear purpose and intentionality when we meet. That we are there to talk and not just about what the football score was etc but to go deeper. We found previously we would see each other have a great time but it was rare that we would go deeper. Band of Brothers intentionally creates that space that is so needed. I personally have found it so beneficial and look forward to Band of Brothers each fortnight.
““As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Last week a friend shared this video which I hadn’t seen for a while. It challenged me to consider not only to be the best ‘brother’ in the Band of Brothers I can be, but also how am I passing it on. I have chatted a couple of times with the Band of Brothers about having the vision to multiply the Band of Brothers. What if each one of the four of us had another few we got together with, and did the same. What kind of impact would it have?
Who are you sharing your life with? Who is cheering you on? Who are you cheering on?
I encourage you to intentionally create space for a Band of Brother or Sisters to run with you as you seek to see His Kingdom come here on earth and you seek to realise your full Kingdom potential.
PS DAN CRONIN 