The Solo Hero

This series of writing is a testimony to how God has spoken to me multiple times in a short 2 hour span. I was blessed enough to be able to write this, upon His prompting. Pray that this series will also be a blessing to you, as it is to me!

The Solo Hero

As I continued my hike, I began to pay closer attention to the "rhythm" of the people on the trail. I noticed two very distinct groups: the Solo Travelers and the Pairs.

The Solo Hero vs. The Leisurely Pair

The men walking alone were almost all "Solo Heroes." They were jogging or power-walking, eyes locked on the path ahead, often checking their watches. They were trying to complete the trail, to conquer the distance, to "win" the morning. They were fast, but they were also silent and solitary.

Then, I saw the pairs. Specifically, two men walking side-by-side.

They were slow. They were stopping to look at things, chatting about seemingly random topics, and laughing. I easily overtook them, but as I passed, I felt a pang of realization: they weren't trying to "beat" the trail; they were trying to enjoy the journey together.

In Singapore, we are conditioned to be the Solo Hero. We think efficiency means speed. But in the Kingdom of God, efficiency is measured by the depth of your connections, not the speed of your stride.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 came to mind: “Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” On a rocky, slippery trail, the Solo Hero is one trip away from a crisis. The Pair is one trip away from a helping hand.

A Challenge to the "Heads of Household"

Further along, I saw two ladies walking side-by-side, deep in conversation. It hit me that women often naturally understand the "2 a.m. sister" concept—having that core group of friends you can call at any hour. ( I actually had not seen any ladies who were "solo" on the trail.)

As men, especially those of us in leadership or with young families, we need to ask ourselves a hard question: Are we encouraging our wives to find their community, or is our "leadership" actually a form of restriction?

Being the "Head of the Household" isn't about being the boss; it’s about Servant Leadership. Sometimes, the most spiritual act of stewardship a husband can do is to take over the caregiving duties—handle the diapers, manage the kids' schoolwork—specifically so his wife can go out and find her "2 a.m. sisters."

If we want our homes to be spiritually healthy, we cannot be the only ones with a support system. We must actively create the space for our partners to journey in pairs too. We must encourage them too.

Side note: I kid you not.. I subsequently saw two squirrels too...

Takeaway Questions:

The Pace Check: "If your life this week was a hike, would you be the Solo Hero checking his watch, or the Pair moving slowly enough to talk? What is one 'efficient' task you can slow down this week to make room for a brother?"

The 'Falling' Plan: "Looking at your current stress levels (work, family, health), if you 'tripped' tomorrow, who in this room would actually know you fell? Who have you given permission to pick you up?"

The Stewardship Audit: "For the married men: When was the last time you proactively managed the household logistics specifically so your wife could seek fellowship? Is your leadership at home creating a 'Safe Space' for her, or just a 'Task Space'?"