Day 4
Read:
Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Dig Deeper:
It’s funny how at the gym, it can feel so much easier to lift with a spotter than when you’re flying solo. Maybe it’s the pressure of someone watching you, or maybe it’s the safety net you feel [that if you drop that bar on the bench press that you won’t be pinned forever]–either way, it seems we can do more together than alone, just by letting someone come near us.
Life can work a lot like that too. As we share about what we’re walking through in life with others, we can stare down the barrel of most hard things, just by knowing we’re not alone. As Christ followers, connected by one Spirit, the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us all, we should be suffering together and celebrating together. And, with such a natural connection, it should be easy to empathize with one another. But, how can we if we don’t know what is going on in each other's lives. Unfortunately, mind reading is not a Fruit of the Spirit. No one is a good mind reader, so for anyone to know what we’re going through, we actually have to say it out loud to them.
This often seems like a lost art, and one that we tend to shy away from, because vulnerability always comes with something we typically dislike–accountability. To be vulnerable with someone, we have to be open to them speaking into our lives, and sometimes even offering correction or following up with us–YIKES! Despite it being a little intimidating, this type of relationship is deeply healing and healthy with the right people. In fact, our scripture today says that as we do this for one another, we “fulfill the law of Christ.” As we are there for each other, walking with each other, encouraging one another, and correcting one another, we are building the kind of Christ-centered community that God has designed us for.
In Exodus 17, we find the people of God engaged in a battle against their enemies:
“8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)
As Moses relied on his friends, together, they were able to conquer the army that threatened them.
Is there a Christian friend that you can truly say has your back, and you’ve got theirs? Imagine the incredible things that can happen in your walk with Christ when this becomes a reality in your life.
Declaration: Say this next statement out loud as a declaration of what you have learned today.
I can let others have my back, and I will do the same for them. Opening up to others about what I’m walking through is a strength in my life.
Pray:
God, help me to rely on others. It can sometimes be difficult to do, but I know that as I do, I will be stronger for it. Show me opportunities to rely on others, and help me to find ways to encourage those around me as well. Amen.