As iron sharpens iron, so one person
sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
This weekend
a friend and I went for a bike ride to Fashion Island.
Some of you
are thinking….”I didn’t know you lived near Fashion Island”. Well, I don’t, I live about 12 miles or so
(biking). I’ve never ridden this particular route that far, but the distance
was a relatively easy ride for me so I was definitely up for it.
The ride was
going well and then we hit Jamboree Road.
If you’re driving this road in a car, you take the incline for granted,
but my bike didn’t. Immediately the
difference between my friend’s more advanced bike and my little road bike was
evident. His began to power up the hill
efficiently. Mine? Well….I probably
would’ve been more effective riding a Big Wheel. He noticed my struggle and asked if I wanted
to ride ahead of him.
I’ve already
been frank with you about my pride issues, so when I know I’m going to perform
badly, I DEFINITELY don’t want an audience.
I declined
and let him go in front.
Each
rotation of my wheel felt like I was trying to push through quicksand. I was going slower….and slower up the hill. Then
it got worse. Part way up, my shoes came
unclipped from my pedals and since gravity was pulling me backwards I could not
get momentum to go forward. I tried. No dice.
Then it got even better…..I fell.
Yup. If you were riding down Jamboree this weekend and saw someone fall….that
was me.
As I got up from
the ground, my friend circled back and was standing next to me.
“Let me help
you,” he said.
I got on my
bike and he held it up until I could clip in and then walked along side my bike
until I got enough momentum to go up the hill.
He then jumped on his bike and rode behind me.
I’d love to
tell you the hill got easier.
It didn’t.
But what I
did have was my friend behind me encouraging me the whole way up.
“You’re
doing great”
“You can do
this”
“We’re
almost there….just a little bit more”
His “You
cans” tuned out my “You can’ts” until we finally reached the top.
I made it
and it was as much his victory as it was mine.
This is the
power we have in others’ lives.
Everybody
has their strengths. This is a beautiful
thing, but it is also a dangerous one. Why dangerous? It’s easy for us to judge others through our
strongest lens. If you find it easy to
stay in shape and be disciplined, you might nitpick with those who struggle
with weight. If you’re a confident extrovert,
you may judge those more withdrawn. If
you’re blessed with a good career or a home, you may look at those on the
street critically. If you consider
yourself a good parent, you may criticize those who seem negligent. If you’re not tempted in a particular area
you may look disapprovingly at those who do.
But that’s
not why we’re strong.
My friend
had a choice. So do we.
He could’ve
kept going up the hill, then stood at the top annoyed and disapprovingly as I struggled.
He could’ve
came back and allowed me to give up or go an easier route.
He didn’t. He came alongside me and helped me.
He
encouraged me to find the strength to do what my body was saying was
impossible.
So when God
shows you a weakness in another, pause the criticism.
How are you
going to use your strength?
Will you use
it to beat others down, or lift them up?
Will you use
it to discourage or encourage?
Will you
stand on your own respective hilltops and judge those struggling at the bottom
or will you heed the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and reach down to lift them
up.
Because that’s
what Christ did for you.
It was his
love that bowed down low to earth in order to lift us up high; out of
condemnation into redemption.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his
poverty might become rich. -2 Corinthians 8:9
This is the powerful grace we have
received.
This is the powerful grace we are to
extend to others.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! -Philippians 2:8
Where are you strong?
Take your iron and go sharpen
others.
Let’s pray: Dear Lord, it says in your word, in Jude 1:20
that we are the “build one another up in our most Holy faith”. We thank You for the opportunity to use us as
vessels of strength, edification, and encouragement to others. We come against a spirit of judgment,
criticism, or arrogance. May we humble
ourselves, just as Jesus did. Where we
are strong, help use us to strengthen others.
Where we are weak, surround us with those who can spur us towards
accomplishing what seems impossible.
Surround us with brothers and sisters where we can develop one another’s
faith. We are one body. Help us to do
our part as members of the body of Christ to build Your kingdom. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Now listening to: I need you to survive
No comments:
Post a Comment