Support: Coming alongside others and providing gentle, appropriate assistance with a problem or struggle. (Galatians 6:2)
Do you know any single moms/dads at your church or an elderly person in your neighborhood? These are just a few that could absolutely use support!
Think for a minute….what ways could you come alongside a single mom/dad? Think about your own needs within your family, moments when you thought “I am so blessed to have my wife’s/husband’s help!” Those moments of need for support in your life could be reminders of ways you could help your single friends, an elderly neighbor, or someone at work!
What about the elderly couple in your neighborhood? The mind is willing but their body may no longer be able as they reach certain ages. Something as simple as changing a light bulb or putting a new battery in the smoke detector would be a great way to support this person or couple. Maybe you could give them a card with your phone number and let them know to reach out to you if they need help with anything?
Jesus – The Light of the World: (Jesus Meets Our Need For Support)
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:2)
Jesus certainly came alongside others to meet the need for support when they were “in over their head”! The woman caught in adultery needed someone on her team; the disciples in the boat during the storm were” in over their head”!
Have you experienced God in similar ways? Is this promise relevant for today? Is it relevant for you to share with others?
Spend some time with God recalling times together in your life that God has been your Support, your Fortress, your Deliverer and Shield. As you recall those times, ask God to lay someone on your heart that needs to be supported. Maybe your past experiences could prepare you to be the support another person needs today.
His Word – A lamp and a Light
Let’s do: 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
I love this scripture! Maybe there has been a time when you felt unimportant or that what you do is insignificant? It is not insignificant and neither are you, my friend! God tells us we each have our part within the body of Christ!
I know some ministries are more “out front” than some others, but tuck this verse from God’s Word into your heart…YOU MATTER! What you do is NOT insignificant as judged by our Heavenly Father!
In fact ,God loves what is done in secret for Him! “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:1 ESV). So…serve unto the Lord, friends, and know God sees and that’s all that matters.
You And I Are “The Light of the World” – Jesus Said So
This world, your community, your workplace, your home are all places where you can find people in need of support. We walk around with such heavy burdens feeling we can’t possible share our burden with another because who wants to be a downer? We walk around with our Sunday Church smile, but – truth is – we could just really use a friend.
If you are the one carrying a burden today, may I encourage you to share with a trusted friend? Let me tell you a little secret…it is OK to have needs, we ALL do! We just need to be the brave one and ask for support.
If you know of someone that could use support, would you go ahead and step out in faith to be that support? Maybe it is out of your comfort zone to strike up a conversation, but would you trust God to give you the words? If you could keep in mind that you may just be a “cool drink of water” for someone who is desperately thirsty for support, maybe that would give you the courage to step out of the comfortable.
God can and will use you if you are willing. You simply have to say yes!