Standing in the Gap

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

                                   2 Corinthians 13:11

 There is a young woman I know through the Walk to Emmaus community who is one of the sweetest, tenderhearted people I have ever met. Their marriage was dealt a couple of blows, almost from the onset, in the form of job loss and depression that her husband experienced, and a miscarriage that they both suffered through. Their faith in His promises prevailed, however, and she is now the mother to three young boys who have the sweetest smiles, and love their mama tremendously. Her husband has made great strides with his depression, and has a job that allows him to work out of their home. Having overcome those large rocks, things seemed to be going well whenever I would see them. So it was with great concern that I heard this young lady confess, bravely to a crowd of about 60 people, that she had been struggling lately with dark and negative thoughts, thoughts that threatened to consume her, and that she desperately needed our prayers. The body of Christ came alive to her that evening, and subsequent days, as we lifted her up in prayer.

A dear friend of mine had the idea, after talking with this young woman’s husband, of inviting those of us within the Emmaus community to shower our beloved friend with tangible gifts of what we call “agape”.  Without giving too much away for those who have never attended a Walk to Emmaus spiritual retreat, I’ll let you know that these gifts are little crafts, like a bookmark, card, or the like, that are made by the Emmaus community to the people who attend the Walk, and are present throughout the weekend. It’s truly touching to think that a complete stranger made or purchased something for you.

We each signed up for two days within the month of October in which we would send our young charge cards, flowers, small gifts of affection, some anonymously and some in which the giver was known. As hokey as it sounds, I was blessed in the giving of the cards and small gift, as I prayed over not only what to say in the cards, but also for her as she would read them.

Now that we’re in November, another friend and I have “nominated” a shared friend to be the recipient of this agape love because of the valley she has been in for a while, personally and professionally. My friend received a beautiful bouquet of flowers at work to kick off the love fest and she texted me to ask if I had sent them. I truthfully told her that I hadn’t, but didn’t expand on my response. I am giddy with excitement to check in with her tomorrow and hear her thoughts on this love that’s been coming out of the blue—not because I had anything to do with it, but because I know that the outpouring of love can be so overwhelming, and I desperately want her to know that she is loved.

This is what we’re called to do for each other, friends. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to stand in the gap with one another…sharing the burden…being priests to each other. Peter tells us that we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” We are all part of the priesthood of all believers and as such, we have a responsibility to lift up our brother who is down, and to love on our sister who is hurting. We need to be Jesus to the body of Christ, for it is in this action that the entire body is positively affected—the recipient and the giver are blessed in and by the act.

Before you ask, no, you don’t have to go buy gifts for someone in need of Christian love. A simple hug, or note or card, or even a sincere “how are you really doing?” question (and then a patient and attentive ear) will go far in demonstrating the love of God to that person.

Prayer Requests

·      For families torn apart by tragedy

·      For those facing the news of challenging prognoses

·      For our military service members and their families

·      For us to seek to do His will, regardless of whether we understand the outcome or not

As always, the most important thing that we can do for each other is to pray. Intercessory prayer has formed some of the most intense conversations I have had with our heavenly Father. Know that I am praying for you, my dear reader. I also invite you to share your prayer request or need, if you feel so moved, with our prayer group who meets every Thursday night. You can submit it electronically on our cool new website here <shameless plug for the website!>.

 Quotes

“Kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness.”      

“When life is not a bed of roses, remember who wore the thorns.”