No matter how independent we think we are, there are times
in everyone’s life when they need others. On Monday we lost power due to high
winds toppling several pine trees in the neighborhood, taking out the electric
lines. We didn’t mention it to anyone, thinking the electric company would be
on it pretty quick. We could tough it out—kind of like camping.
By Tuesday afternoon, the temperature in our house had
dropped to below 50 degrees. Thankfully, we have two fireplaces. Unfortunately,
the heat from the gas one simply went up the chimney, and we didn’t have wood
to burn in the traditional fireplace. So, I called a friend from church to ask
if they had any wood to spare. Within 20 minutes they were at our home with a
load of firewood and brought a second load latter that day. Then they took us to
supper!
God’s Word reveals that He knows we need one another. “Two
are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 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” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
That truth applies to faith also. Lysa TerKeurst said it
well: “God created us to do life in a community of believers where we can go
stand on someone else’s faith when our own gets shaky.”
I have seen it proven in my own life. I remember distinctly
feeling too tired to pull my thoughts together even to pray. The chemotherapy that
destroys cancer cells also sapped the energy right out of me. But I closed my
eyes in peaceful sleep knowing that there were others who had promised to pray
and were “standing in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) in my devotional life. Just as
Lysa said, I needed my community of believers.
God’s Word tells us to be “concerned for one another, to
help one another to show love and to do good.” God knows the importance of kinship.
“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead,
let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the
Lord is coming nearer.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Whether it is for prayer, for a listening ear, for a better
understanding of Scripture, or for a load of wood on a winter day, we all need a
helping hand from time to time. I am so thankful to Jesus for those He has
placed in my life who take God’s Word literally and have been my community of
faith.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up …”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Be encouraged!
Pam
Comments welcome via Facebook or email (writepam71@gmail.com).
