Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. ~Hebrews 13:16
It’s funny to me how we ask to be more like Jesus yet when the time comes we cry, run, act like we can’t handle it. We get assigned to people and when their needs get to be too much for us to handle, we ask God to release us from them. Remove the load that has been placed on us because we can’t help them and ourselves. We cry out that we have too much to handle in our own lives and helping others will add more stress to us. We cry out that we have all of these folks pulling on us, but who do we have to go to? But Jesus says to us, hold on and keep moving forward and you will reap the benefits of your commitment to serve others. Galatians 6: 9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.“ Sometimes when I read this verse, the thought comes to my mind, when God is my harvest coming because I am not weak, I’m exhausted? I’ve been reaping for a long time now.
Jesus ministered to so many people. No one knew He was going through sadness, depression, despair. Can you imagine living knowing how you were going to die? Especially if it’s going to be brutal? Yet, He healed, delivered, set captives free, rose the dead, blessed, prayed for folks, and fed the people in more ways than one. Who did He have to go to when it was too much? When He needed to release and be filled? He went up on that mountain and cried out to His Heavenly Father for clarity, healing, strength to continue, and understanding. But nobody knew. Nobody really cared if you think about it. That seems harsh but true. They pulled on Him and leaned on Him, and He went to the Father to do what He was deemed to do. What He was called to do. And as He lead on God, God poured into Him the strength and encouragement He needed to complete His task for YOU! Aren’t you happy God sent Jesus to give you the opportunity to have someone to talk to? Here on earth, aren’t you glad God sent you someone to lean on? To help you in moments of despair? Jesus died so that you would have a friend in your time of need as He did in His. In Matthew 11:28, He says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burden, and I will give you rest”. He knew what you would have to face on this earth. He knew that if you decided to follow Him and act like Him, you would suffer. He came to walk the path before you so that He could give you exactly what you needed when you got to the point He got to. He did not leave you alone to face life. He provided Himself and has surrounded you with earthly Christian friends, along with His Book of instructions, which helps them, to give you the same advice and strength that He received on that mountain.
If you are going through right now, go to Jesus. Allow Him to speak and direct you. Allow Him to encourage and guide you. Then look for the friend or friends who He has allowed to stand with you. The ones who has the love Jesus poured in them just for you. Don’t be afraid to be like Jesus and walk His path of helping others because He wasn’t afraid to die for you. Isn’t He awesome?
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. DO not be afraid; do not be discourage”. -Deuteronomy 31: 8
- I Need a Little More Jesus - February 19, 2015
