- 4 MAIN THOUGHTS FROM THIS ENTRY -
*We constantly need to stay connected to community. Don’t drift away from it.
*Strive to be a “there you are” type of person, not a “here I am” type of person
*Be available to attend to a friend’s needs of prayer or support, when you can.
*Look up Exodus 17 for the story of Aaron and Hur in Moses’ life (great look at friendship)
According to five of the people I talked to a couple of weeks back, I was challenged to try and became better in the community of followers of Christ. There are parts of our body that are lacking strength right now. Can you name anyone in your local church that is in need of your encouragement, prayer, support? If it is big enough, there is most likely someone.
If community within the church is not working how it should, we all lose. The main reason for the emphasis on the Christian church is that it is the one that has to be the body of Christ ministering to others who are hurting, struggling, suffering, AND to those living without the love of Christ. If we have his Son in our hearts and his Spirit to guide, and we still struggle, how much more so is that true for those without the hope we are given?
I really appreciate people being vulnerable with me when it comes to the simple question of “how are you doing”? Let’s not be the type that gets caught off guard if someone actually answers it honestly, and doesn’t just pass it off with“fine”, “I’m good, and you?”.
Growing up, I have held what was taught to me that we are to carry each other’s burdens. I also don’t remember where it came from, but a saying that has clung to me says, “do all you can to get your brothers and sisters home with you safely”. I took this to mean, look out for your fam, protect and encourage them toward home. Get in the trenches with them. Be there to support and lift up whenever possible. So that is a battle cry in my life.
All in together now, its that Aaron and Hur living.
Heard of them?
Maybe you have heard of Moses. You know, “Prince of Egypt”, used by God to split the Red Sea, led some folk out of Egypt. Well, it was a wild ride for Moses after they left Egypt. Moses leads them out with God’s power, deals with God on their behalf, and then after some traveling around they become whiny babies. Not saying I wouldn’t have been a whiny baby, in fact I probably would have been, but that’s what they were.
The story I am sharing comes out of Exodus 17. God’s people were engaged in battle in this chapter. Joshua is the leader of the troops and Moses was on the top of a hill with his guys, Aaron and Hur, looking over the battle. Moses was holding up the staff of God that he used on the Red Sea and to get water from the rock for people to drink. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hands, the Israelites(God's people), were winning. When he lowered his hands, they were losing. Moses got tired and could no longer do his work to help the people…. So Aaron and Hur had to come in alongside and help him lift it up. What a great picture of how community should work.
We all need people like Aaron and Hur in our lives.
So with that in mind, here’s another challenge. My sister shared with me one time, “I strive to be a ‘there you are’ type of person, instead of a ‘here I am’ type of person”. Although I suck at it at times, I try to keep that mentality. Excuses could be used, but who needs them? Let’s all utilize our abilities to show love to each other, remember that’s love in all its aspects and not just its cozy, comfortable form. Be aware and available to your people, God’s people, as well as the lost and dying world around. Don’t just assume that the smile on the face reflects the strength in the heart. We all need each other. Let’s not just leave it at prayer.
Much Love
