My two sons have been involved with a local Boy Scout troop in Winchester for the past several years.

Together, we have experienced some of the most beautiful scenery in Kentucky on our outdoor hikes.

When we hike, each Scout is responsible to carry the “10 Essentials” in their backpack, including water, food, sun protection, first aid materials, a flash light and other key items needed to take responsibility for personal needs along the hike.

The Bible describes life as a journey God intends for us to take together.

As members of a community, we have three options of how we can live:

— Overly dependent people consistently look for others to take the weight of personal responsibility off their shoulders. It would be like a healthy Scout going on a hike and asking another Scout to “carry my 10 Essentials for me.” Galatians 6:5 says “each one should carry their own load.”

— Overly independent people fail to speak up when an extra heavy burden is added to their shoulders. It would be like a heavy rock being added to a Scout’s pack and that Scout saying, “I don’t need anyone’s help.” At some point, that Scout will need some assistance to carry the heavy burden to finish the hike and shouldn’t be afraid to speak up when it gets too heavy to bear. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens.”

— Mutually interdependent people enjoy the most meaningful experience of community. It means we take responsibility for our own personal needs, as well as look out for others burdened with an extra heavy load.

If I see you are carrying an extra heavy burden, I will offer to lend a hand. If I’m feeling weighed down, exhausted and unable to continue on my own, I will not be too proud to receive help from you.

In this way, we fulfill the law of Christ to love one another as He has loved us.

It’s a privilege to be part of a community. How can you become a better traveling companion?

Perhaps you would do well to take more responsibility for your own actions.

Perhaps you can pay more attention to the heavy burdens of others around you.

Perhaps you need to remember it’s OK to speak up if you’re carrying a heavy load.

Always remember, no one has to go alone.

Be proactive

Invest in mutually-beneficial relationships before crisis hits.

Some of the families in our church who have been hit the hardest are growing because they already had a network of support. The families who have the hardest time getting life together, keeping a job, staying sober or dealing with stress in destructive ways, never had support in place.

It’s never too late

Questions to ask yourself: Who are you going to call? Am I alone? People are all around you. But do you have a person, “your people” you could call if the wheels came off?

There’s a trend I see. I know I’m getting old. I never used to say things like this. If your go-to answer to stress and problems is to make a post on social media asking for help from the general mass of “friends,”  you are missing something essential in your life.

If you don’t have a core people who know you and love you and would give anything for you — and you for them — don’t be surprised that you feel anxious. Don’t be surprised that your self talk is defeating. Don’t be surprised if you wonder or not if you matter.

Friend, mentor, family

Who would call you?

The best way to find a friend is to be a friend. You be a “Most Reliable Person” for someone.

My dream is the person you would call is right here at Calvary or your own church. Family and long-time friends — like me moved from out of state. That’s who we would be for each other. There are people here at Calvary I could call. Family.

Mike McCormick is pastor of Calvary Christian Church.