It Takes a Village

We’ve probably all heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” What this means is that it requires more than just one’s parents to properly raise someone to maturity. It also takes mentors, friends, advocates, teachers, disciplinarians, and all kinds of relationships to bring an individual into adulthood. Parents need the help of other adult figures to raise their children well, and the children also need those outside voices for guidance. Without the help of others, children learning to be adults will struggle. We see this in the Bible, as well. We are to turn to those cast aside; this is the practice of “pure religion” (James 1:27). Love and care for others is essential. Walking in step with God is inseparable from serving others—even above service to one’s own well-being.