HAND HOLDERS

 

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. I Corinthians 12:28

Did you realize that helping is a gift? And I’m sure we all know those people who just seem to know when and how to reach out. Intuitively, they sense that the load we’re carrying threatens to overwhelm or they see that we just need a kind word of encouragement. And this is a gift—not everyone has it.

The Bible is full of illustrations of helpers. Jethro, Moses’ Midianite father-in-law noticed that he worked long hours every single day judging the people. It took Jethro just a minute or two to point out to Moses that he was going to kill himself if he didn’t ask for help. Moses wisely respected his father-in-law’s advice and learned to delegate.

And then there was Joshua. He helped Moses fight the Lord’s battles. When Israel was fighting Amalek, Moses stood on the mountain and raised his arms (in prayer?). Before long, Moses’ arms were tiring, but when he lowered them, the Israelites began to lose the battle. That’s when helpers, Aaron and Hur, stepped up and stood on either side of Moses and held up his arms, ensuring Israel’s victory.

And there was Moses’ sister Miriam, who was a praise leader. And Samuel who assisted Eli in the service of ministry. David helped Saul fight God’s battles. Ruth was unflaggingly loyal to Naomi. Daniel served numbers of kings, and so on.

God has placed helpers and hand-holders in each of our lives, but we need to recognize them and release the loads that we think only we can carry. God gives us what we need, but he doesn’t force his gifts upon us. Not only do those special people bless us, but they, in turn, are blessed as we allow them to activate their God-given gifts. Let’s let go and let God use his servants in our lives.
Father, can it be pride that keeps us from reaching out, from asking for a hand-holder? Cause us to realize that you’ve put us together in community so that we mutually build each other up. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

MAKING IT

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.   I Thessalonians 5:11

 

I had noticed the Arkansas sweatshirt earlier when we were exploring Pompeii and made the obvious comment, “So, you’re a Razorback?” I asked the young woman. “Yes, she is,” her mom replied, “and we’re from Arkansas.” Diane then proceeded to expound on the athletic prowess of her two daughters, as would any proud mother. And then they blended into the crowd.

 

Pompeii continues to impress, particularly after the recent eruptions of Kilauea in Hawaii and Volcán De Fuego in Guatemala. I’d studied vulcanology in university and so was interested in the archeological site, but the opportunity to hike to the top of Vesuvius was especially interesting. I didn’t realize how challenging the incline would be.

 

We’d been warned that the first part of the climb would be hard. And I’d forgotten that my respiratory system hadn’t completely recovered from my last illness. My two grandchildren and I started the hike together, but the farther we climbed, the harder it was for me to keep up—and breathing became even more difficult.

 

That’s where Diane, my new friend from Arkansas, came in. Coming up from behind, Diane called out to the grands, “You go on up. I’ll climb with your grandmother.” I knew the two youngsters were like racehorses, ready to bolt, but they were hesitant to leave my side. “Go,” Diane urged, “I’ll stay with her.”

 

And so we climbed, Diane and I. We hiked a few yards, and when she’d see me struggling, she’d suggest we stop and rest. Then we gained a few more yards and stopped. She never suggested that I give up and go back down. Instead, we inched our way up—almost to the top—when we saw those two Razorbacks come running down. They saw me and said, “You’re almost there. You can do it.” And with their mom, those girls who had run up the mountain encouraged me to keep going.
We made it, the four of us. And at the top, I joined my grandchildren. And I saw the caldera and the steam making its way through the cracks in Vesuvius’ massive crater. I had made it to the top of Vesuvius.

 

Could I have done it alone? Probably, but not likely. It was hard. My breathing was labored; my heart was pounding . But Diane climbed with me; she stopped and waited with me; she encouraged me. She didn’t demean me. She made the journey interesting and carried on a vibrant conversation as we ascended. She acted as if climbing steep mountains with struggling people was something she did every day.

 

And that’s what I think we’re all called to do. People struggle all around us. Almost everyone is involved in some sort of conflict. We’re all in a battle that we can’t win alone. As the Church, it should be our normal, everyday activity to look around and cheerfully say, “I’ll walk with you. I’ll encourage you in this challenge. I’ll rest with you. I’ll stay with you.” And then we just do it…until we’re no longer needed. And if we’re the ones needing help, we need to humbly acknowledge the fact and reach out.

 

As we were loading up the bus for our return to Rome, I made a point of seeking out Diane. “I couldn’t have made it without you,” I said…and meant it.

 

Father, thank you for bringing into our lives those saints with hearts of love and compassion. Make me to be one of them. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

HOLDING HANDS

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up–one on one side, one on the other–so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

 

The Children of Israel had their fair share of battles (many of them self-initiated), but as they passed through the wilderness, they encountered the fierce Amalekites.  The enemy was engaged, and, as Moses stood on the mountainside overlooking the battle, he discovered that as long as he held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed.  But after standing a long time, he grew weary, and his arms began to sag.  That’s when his helpers, Aaron and Hur, stepped in, brought a stone for him to sit on, and held up his hands.  The Israelites won the battle.

We all need those Aarons and Hurs in our lives, those people who love us enough to hold our hands when we’re weary from the conflicts in our lives.  They are already there if we’ll only open our eyes.  God noted from the very beginning that it’s not good for us to be alone—that we need helpers (Gen. 2:18).  But in our individualized culture, we’re taught from birth that we must be self-reliant, and we begin to feel guilty when we reach out for help.

We build walls around ourselves, and our pride (We call it independence.) blinds us to the caring that waits to be accessed.  We say that we don’t want to be a bother to anyone when, in truth, we are all interdependent.  “No man is an island, entire of itself.” (Donne)

Let down the barriers.  It won’t be long until you’ll have the opportunity to be the help someone else needs.

 

Father, you told us to bear one another’s burdens.  We forget that our brothers and sisters are there for us when we need them.  Give us courage to allow you to help us through them.  In Jesus our Lord.  AMEN.

HELPERS

So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.  Romans 14:19 NLT

“I can do it,” my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter told her grandmother. Tish was sitting on Momo’s kitchen counter stirring her first cake batter, firmly convinced she had all the expertise necessary to produce a fine cake.  At two-and-a-half.  That’s understandable for a small child, but have you ever seen an adult who could do it all and never needed help?  Or have you been that person who, as the old saying goes, is independent as a hog on ice?

Do you know people you’ve offered to help–something as simple as giving a ride, setting a table, assisting with a task–who can’t seem to acknowledge the smallest need?  We build walls around ourselves so that we maintain an air of invincibility and inaccessibility.  As long as we’re self- sufficient, no one can require anything of us.  Our pride is nurtured when we delude ourselves into thinking we don’t need anyone.  And we can pretty easily shut everyone out.

But isn’t it interesting that the King of Kings was supported by women (Luke 8:1-3); that someone else was his banker (John 12:6); that he allowed Mary to wash his feet (Luke 7:38); that he asked his friends to pray with him (Matthew 26:49); and that Simon carried his cross?  The One who created all things humbled himself to permit others to help him.  He provided the space for intimacy that emerges when we open ourselves to being served.   His greatness disallowed pride but opened instead the door to love.

We sometimes erect walls to avoid pain but in so doing, we inflict pain.  Jesus “knew human nature” thoroughly (John 2:2), and still, he chose Judas.  And Peter.  And Thomas.  He lowered his own drawbridge to welcome flawed human beings in familiarity and mutual exchange.  Jesus’ sacrifice came long before his execution at the cross:  He gave himself—his time, his thoughts, his privacy, his preferences, everything—from the very beginning.  And from his loving sacrifices emerged the Church.

Father, we need your help in pulling down the barriers we’ve erected for selfish reasons.  Cast out our fear of being taken advantage of, and help us to become vulnerable, trusting in your protection.  Cause your love to open our hearts so that we gladly receive as well as give.  Thank you.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN.