The Lone Ranger show debuted as a radio program in 1933, airing for 21 years until 1954. Novels, 2 film serials and a daily comic strip soon followed as the United States could not get enough of this American cowboy. This notoriety inspired the television series which began in 1949 producing 221 original episodes. Despite all the attention the Lone Ranger received, he couldn’t hand done it without his loyal sidekick Tonto.
In the book of Exodus, we discover a syndrome which is now tied to this famous show. Unfortunately, man has a pattern of trying to do everything on his own, such is the case of Moses. In Exodus 18:1-12, Jethro, Moses’ father in law visits his daughter Zipporah, to see how they are doing. At the time, Moses served as the sole Judge of Israel, similar to the modern day Supreme Court. According in Exodus 18:13-16, Moses worked 18 hour days, 6 days a week trying to appease and rule over Israel. However, it didn’t take long for Jethro to add his two cents, Exodus 18:17-23.
Moses had become a workaholic, too prideful to seek the help of others. Well, if the Lone Ranger needed Tonto and Batman had Robin, it’s common sense to realize that in life people need a team approach to be successful over the long haul. If you try to be a lone ranger, eventually you are going to burn yourself out. Maybe this is why Jesus sent his disciples out 2 by 2 in Matthew 10:5 and Luke 10:1. Even the apostle Paul understood the need for co-workers in Acts 13:1-3, taking Barnabas on his first few missionary journeys and replacing him in Acts 15:40 with Silas on his remaining trips. If you are trying to reach your dreams alone without any progress, remember the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 4:7-9 so that you won’t be tempted by the Lone Ranger Syndrome!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 