(Acts 20:35)
One of the most compelling things about the accounts of Jesus’ life in the Gospels is His compassion to those who were hurting. Jesus loved people. Jesus had a heart for those who were without hope. It does not take a Biblical scholar to understand that as a child of God, helping others is one of the main jobs God has given us to do. The scriptures are full of exhortations to help those in need – the poor, the widows. While those people are in obvious need, we are also to be there for the spiritually poor and the spiritual widows. You see, hopelessness comes from there not being any answers to the questions. When the challenges become so overwhelming, there just don’t seem to be any solutions. A person in this state of mind, at this place in their life, is in desperate need of a touch from God. Where does that touch come from? Many sources, but primarily from God’s people who He sends into their lives.
I realize many of you today are facing great battles in your own life. Struggles with sin issues. Struggles on your job or at school. Struggles in your family relationships. Struggles with finances. Health issues. I know that. Let me share something I learned years ago. It was at the height of my personal battles, when my natural tendencies were to focus solely on my personal struggles, that I fought to find ways to serve God by helping someone else. Even though my battles didn’t disappear, even though they didn’t just go away, they seemed to become more manageable, and the answers seemed to come a little easier. Why? I am convinced the Bible teaches us that if we will be about our Father’s business, He will be about our business. It is a spiritual principle that works.
I want to challenge you today. Pray about who it is God has put in your life that is hurting and needing hope in the midst of a difficult situation. It may be someone in your family. Possibly a friend. Maybe someone at church. It could be a person at your work or in your school. God has strategically placed you in the life of someone today that is hurting and in need of a touch from God. Once you have prayed and God shows you who it is, reach out to that person. Have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat with them. Go do something together. Get that person in a one-on-one situation and let them know they are not alone in their struggle – they are not alone in what they are going through. You are there with them, will pray for them, stand with them, and help them see victory. Often, it is not even necessary to do more than reach out in love to that person who is hurting, for them to see and feel the love of Christ coming from you. I have always said it is normally not what we say, but what we do that shows the Christ in us.
I love you, and care about you so much. I will be praying for you today, because I know you are going through problems in your own life. I am reaching out to you today to let you know I will pray for you, I will stand with you, and I will be here to help you overcome whatever the battle is in your life. God has given us each other because life was never meant to be lived on our own, by ourselves. We need each other. Today, reach out to that person God has placed on your heart. Show them the love of Christ through your actions. Let them know they are not alone, that someone cares. That can be the difference between victory and defeat, between someone who is living without hope and someone who is moving forward victoriously over the problems in their life. Never forget, helping others is not an option, but what God has asked His children to do.
