Part of the family

1 Peter 3:8 NLT – Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

Tonight I heard that a friend that I really admire and love has had a really difficult couple of weeks.  She’s been really struggling.  It broke my heart.  I’ve been praying for her and her family as they walk through this valley of the shadow.  At the moment, there isn’t a whole lot else I can do.  But I do believe that standing with them in prayer in their suffering makes a difference.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NLT – This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.  If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honoured, all the parts are glad.  All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

One of the things that God placed on my heart as he’s been leading me through this journey of walking as a child of his, is the importance of being a part of the family.  God, as our father, doesn’t expect us to walk this journey alone.  He has given us this community, this family, to walk alongside us and to do life together.  Even with our differences and our disagreements and our flaws.

Romans 12:9-10, 13, 15-16 NLT – Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other.

Now this theme of being part of the family of God covers so many practical things, but God has been specifically pulling out things that He is calling me to learn and do at this point in time.

The hardest of these is to ask for help.  To be authentic.  To make my needs and my struggles known.  This is something that has become so hard to do as we try and wear our masks.  I think there is a part of it that is about not wanting to give God a bad name.  But God can defend himself.  All throughout the Psalms, David is raw and authentic and yet they bring glory to God in an incredible way.

Even in the life of Jesus, the example is not to be walking this alone.  He had close friends.  And he asked for help and support when he needed it.

Matthew 26:36-38 NLT –  Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed.  He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

And not only when he was suffering, but when he was in need of practical help as well.  After the resurrection, when he appears to his disciples, his friends, his brothers, he asks for food.

Luke 24:40-43 NLT – As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

Family is about partnership.  It’s not all one sided, it’s give and take.  It’s okay for me to ask for help.

This is probably more of a personal post, I understand that I probably have more trouble with this than a lot of other people.  It’s just something that God has been teaching me.