Hebrews 4:14-16
Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Our little niece Zola is the “poster child” for “I can do it myself!” Try to help her with a drinking straw so she doesn’t spill her milk, and she will wrestle you with the brute strength of a grown man! Cut up her food into manageable bites, and she might burst into tears and have a “meltdown”! Four months shy of her third birthday, she cannot comprehend that we adults have “been there, done that” and might know a thing or two about how to help her. We’re not trying to be bossy…we are actually acting out of mercy for her dilemma - and potential for peril!
Can I be honest? We are often no better than a two-year-old who is still growing and learning. The problem is…we should know better by now! There are times when we all could use a little help…the compassion and empathy of someone who has been through what we are experiencing…a hand up or a handout…or just an extra set of hands for a little while. Sure…there are those who take advantage of the generosity of others…but hopefully, you’re not one of them!
Don’t assume that others will think you are weak…or incapable…or that they will pity you in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you lose a loved one, and a friend or relative shows up at your house to help answer the phone, wash dishes, do laundry, answer the door… or simply give you a hug… don’t assume that you have inconvenienced that person – or that he/she thinks you can’t handle your own affairs. Do not rob them of the blessing of serving you!
If someone says, “Let me know if I can help you”… LET.THEM.KNOW.IF.THEY.CAN.HELP.YOU!! Do not try to be the hero or the martyr. Take them at their word - and assume they mean it. If what you ask is something that others are not comfortable helping with…or they cannot accommodate your schedule…give them the chance to say so. And never cease to ask others to pray for you. Most people do not have E.S.P. - they cannot telepathically determine that you are in need of special prayer or assistance. Give them the chance to lift you to the LORD…to join the voices of others in reminding Him that you are precious and in need of His tender care.
Imagine if you kept your needs to yourself and never shared them with God. There are indeed people who say, “God’s too busy to bother with this or that.” Nothing could be further from the truth! God is NEVER too busy to hear any request you may present…no matter how small it seems to you. And as Disciples of Christ…we are called to help others…to hear their requests…and to do what we can to share Jesus’ love with them.
You have been given a unique set of experiences and “gifts” that are to be shared with others. By the same token…others have been equipped to share “gifts” and experiences with YOU. Christian Discipleship is a “give-and-take” relationship. Are you fully participating? Are you blessing others with your acts of compassion and mercy…and are you giving them the chance to do the same for you? How will you respond the next time someone extends compassion and empathy to you? Will you accept the mercy and take the help? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment