SA14 - By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples

A group of friends, long awaiting this moment, stood at the threshold of their destination. They had all yearned to reach this coveted place, but each had taken a different path to get to here, each encountering unique obstacles and hardships along the way.

As they gathered, their faces revealed a range of emotions. Some wore weary expressions, deep ingrained lines forever etched on their foreheads from the distress they had faced along the way. Others were filled with a sense of relief and contentment, having suffered correctly they felt joyous, and a few onlookers viewed their expressions as if their journey had been a breeze. Each one’s experiences varied greatly, and the one thing that was certain was that the weight of their individual struggles could not be ignored.

Olivia had arrived by boat, her voyage fraught with turbulent waves and endless sea spray. Yes, towards the end, she ran out of food and had to severely ration her water supplies, necessities that forever made her panic that she would not make it to the meeting place. She had fought against storms that threatened to engulf her tiny vessel, battling both the physical forces of the sea and her own fears. She disembarked her broken down boat with shaky legs and a profound appreciation for the solid ground beneath her.

Jacob had opted for the mountainous route, taking the long and arduous trek through steep paths and treacherous terrain. The closer he climbed toward the top, the closer to the sun he scaled, the hotter he became. To the point where he was unable to focus on the rocks ahead of him until he took a misstep and lost his footing on a steep incline, falling straight down 30 feet. Fortunately, he had no serious damage, only extreme fatigue, blisters, and moments of doubt, all which questioned his strength and resolve. But with each step, his determination grew, and the beauty of the towering peaks, now behind him, had left an indelible mark on his soul.

Veronica had chosen the path of the bustling city. She knew that she would never make it in the wild, opting instead to maneuver through densely packed sidewalks filled with people moving every which way, shops with assorted goods which spilled from their store fronts onto the pavements and crowded streets that only offered the chance of being run over at every crossing. The noise and chaos had overwhelmed her at times, testing her patience and pushing her to her limits. Yet amidst the confusing and harsh discordant mixture of sounds, she had discovered hidden pockets of beauty and moments of human connection that had brought her joy.

And then there was Craig, who had embarked on a journey of self-reflection and growth. His path had taken him deep within, navigating through the complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way, a maze of his own emotions and insecurities. It had been a solitary journey, filled with introspection and self-discovery, but one that had ultimately led him to a place of healing and understanding.

As they stood together, each shared their varied experiences which painted a portrait of resilience, determination, and vulnerability. Each person's journey had shaped them in profound ways, and they understood that their paths had been distinct.

One day a subtle tension began to build among them. Perhaps through the trauma encountered or the deprivation experienced, this diverse group which had once celebrated each other’s triumphs, now became a source of contention. Each member started to assume that their own journey had been more challenging than others, and that assumption fueled resentment and conflict.

Olivia, who had braved the treacherous seas, and after almost dying, felt her accomplishments were diminished when Jacob, the mountain trekker, shared stories of the physical hardships he had endured, which she felt paled in comparison. Veronica, who had navigated the dangerous bustling city streets, felt overlooked as Craig, the introspective traveler, recounted his emotional struggles. The once-united group now found themselves at odds, comparing their obstacles and diminishing each other's efforts.

What had once been a strong group of collective understanding of diverse experiences, now gave way to a battle of "who was the bigger victim." They lost sight of the fact that their individual paths were unique and equally of great worth. The unity they had cherished threatened to crumble under the weight of the misplaced comparison of victimhood, trials, and hardships.

Fortunately for the group, they received steady reminders. This latest reminder was of the wise advice at Matthew 20:26,27, where Jesus said that this must not be the way among you; but whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. As the united group continued their journey, it became evident that none of them were perfect. They were fallible beings, susceptible to moments of frustration, misunderstanding, and occasional transgressions. However, they had learned from their diverse experiences that it was in these moments of imperfection that they had the greatest opportunity to demonstrate love and understanding towards one another.

In the spirit of unity and compassion, they sought to emulate the example set by Jesus. They recognized that Jesus, despite his own perfection, did not expect flawlessness from his followers. Instead, he showed them love and understanding, guiding them towards correcting their undesirable traits and actions, helping them grow and gain Jehovah’s approval.

Now when conflicts arose within the group, they took a step back to reflect, remembering the lessons from their respective journeys. They understood that reacting to transgressions with anger or judgment would only sow further division. Instead, they chose a path of love and patience, seeking to understand each other's perspectives and offering support to correct their missteps.

They engaged in open and honest conversations, sharing their concerns, grievances, and desires for growth. They shared scriptures and listened attentively to one another, acknowledging their own shortcomings, and extending forgiveness when necessary. They recognized that after all they had achieved, they could not allow anything to disrupt their unity. 

One of the group's members commented, “Once I understood how hard some of the others had struggled to overcome and how far they had come, I admired them and we all became good friends.” And so, they traveled forward, their paths intertwined, their hearts united. They knew that in the moments when they stumbled or fell, they had the unwavering love and support of their fellow travelers. Their journey was no longer just a physical passage, but a spiritual one of shared growth, understanding, and love.

Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.