Camaraderie Isn’t Just, “Nice to Have.”
Good Son‑Day Morning!
You can always count on finding a little “Good News” here.
Rib City Volley
Camaraderie Isn’t Just, “Nice to Have.”
During Passion Week, there’s a beautiful and often overlooked theme—the camaraderie Jesus intentionally cultivated. First at the table during Communion, and then in the Garden of Gethsemane with His inner circle. In both sacred moments, He was building connection, inviting support, and even expressing His own need for companionship.
Matthew 26:1917 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
18 “As you go into the city,” he told them, “You will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.
Matthew 26:36–38
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane…
37 He took Peter, James, and John, and He became anguished and distressed.
38 “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
We were created as social beings, wired for connection.
In college, I took a few courses in social psychology, and the idea of camaraderie left a lasting impression. In that textbook, camaraderie was described as:
A sense of belonging, mutual trust, and supportive connection with others, a deeply rooted human need that strengthens emotional well‑being, performance, and resilience.
Camaraderie helps fulfill our need for belonging.
It allows us to feel:
- Accepted
- Understood
- Connected
- Supported
Our relationships steady us. They hold us up during life’s pressures and steady us in crisis.
Scripture echoes the same truth: we were never designed to live as independent islands. God crafted us for relationship, community, and mutual dependency. Paul explains it beautifully:
1 Corinthians 12:12–14
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So, it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
Camaraderie strengthens resilience—our ability to recover, to “bounce back,” to rise again.
I’m reminded of how Sunday gatherings once served as the anchor that kept many families connected. Think about the television series “Soul Food”, a story about a Chicago family navigating triumphs and trials. What made that show memorable was not perfection, but their commitment to show up for each other.
Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].
Let me say a little more about that “Law of Christ.” It calls us to:
- Step into others’ struggles
- Help shoulder their weight
- Show compassion that costs something
Camaraderie starts in the family, then radiates outward to friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.
One of my own recharges comes from those after‑service meals with family. I treasure them. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to take these moments for granted, but those shared meals bring reflection, laughter, and stories that become memories. Moments we look back on and say, “Good times, good times.”
Camaraderie isn’t just “nice to have.”
It’s transformative.
It strengthens us.
It heals us.
It lifts us out of isolation and roots us in joy.
When we choose camaraderie, we choose resilience.
When we choose connection, we choose life.
Hallelujah! Sing a New Song to GOD. Sing HIS praise in the assembly of godly people. Psalm 149:1.
"Do It Again", 2024, James Grear & Company featuring Darrel Walls.
Initially, a spoken word song that transitions well into a ballad.
Lyrics
Listen, whatever you're facing, just remember. The same God that delivered you before, He's faithful, He's God, and He believes. Come on and sing it, Darrel
In my distress, you heard my cry (Yes, Lord)
Healed my soul and dried my eyes
You gave me hope (and peace of mind)
And peace of mind
Do it again, Lord
Do it again
When you sink in your love game
And lifted me (I was so discouraged)
You wrapped your arms around me (Hallelujah)
Though I was broken
You rescued me
Lord, do it again, Lord
Do it again
Hear my heart, do it again, Lord
Do it again
In my distress you heard my cry
Healed my soul and dried my eyes
You gave me hope
And peace of mind
So do it again, Lord
Do it again
When I was sinking you
Your love came and lifted me
Found me just in time
You knew when I needed you
And you held me close, yes you did
Oh, Lord, you rescued me
So confidently I asked
Do it, do it
I need you to do it
Please, please, please
Do it again (Come on, come to sing and say)
I will look
I will look to you (you are my help)
You are my help and then you will I trust (trust)
You love me enough to hide me (from my enemies)
From my enemies
You deliver me
Oh, oh, oh
I need you to do it
It's me, oh Lord (do it again)
Standing in the need of you (do it again)
Hear my prayer, Lord, do it (do it again)
Oh, oh, oh do it (do it again)
One more time, lift up your hands and say
I will do
I'll look to you
You will be the only resort I have (You are my hand)
You are my hand
You proved that you are the only one I trust to
For you have given, given me (from my ears)
From only my ears
And you delivered me from myself (from my self)
Oh, oh, oh
So, Lord (do it again)
Please, please, please (do it again)
Hear me (do it again)
I'm down on my knees (do it again)
Asking you please (do it again)
Curse me not, oh gentle saviour (do it again)
Hear my awful cry (do it again)
While on others thou art calling (do it again)
Please don't pass me by (do it again)
I need thee, oh, I need thee (do it again)
Every hour (do it again)
Bless me now, my Saviour (do it again)
Do till the end (do it again)
You did it for daddy (do it again)
(Do it again)
And then you get it for later us when raise them (do it again)
So God, please (do it again)
Please, do it for me (do it again)
So God, please do it for me (do it again)
I need, I need, I need, I need you (do it again)
(Do it again)
Oh, oh, oh (do it again)
Oh, oh, oh (do it again)
Right now, oh (do it again)
Lord, do it again (do it again)
Again
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