Readings for today: Exodus 17:8-19:15, Matthew 22:34-23:12, Psalms 27:7-14, Proverbs 6:27-35
No man or woman is an island. No one ever goes it alone. We all need community. We all need relationships. We all need help from time to time. I remember talking to a very wealthy man in New York City. He had made his fortune in commercial real estate. He was generous to a fault, endowing chairs at Ohio State and Princeton Seminary. He was gifted. He worked hard. He built his business piece by piece over a number of years. Many believed he was a genius. Many believed his legendary work ethic was the secret to his success. But when I spoke with him and asked him how he got to where he was in life, his answer was simple. “I had help along the way.”
Moses is one of the greatest leaders in all the Bible. He had confronted Pharaoh. He had leveled plagues on an entire nation. Parted the Red Sea. Made water come from a rock. But even he grew tired in the midst of a battle and needed help to lead his people to victory. Thankfully, Aaron and Hur were there to steady his hands. Moses was the great Law-giver. The author of Torah. He was known for his wisdom and understanding. After all, he spoke directly to God. But even he couldn’t handle all the requests for arbitration and judgment. His plate was too full. He needed help. Thankfully, Jethro was there to guide him.
We live in a culture that idolaizes the individual. The man or woman who overcomes. The man or woman who does it all. The man or woman who not climbs the corporate ladder but also is a great spouse, raises great kids, and still finds time to hit the gym. The pace we’re setting is impossible to keep. We all need help.
In the beginning, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone...I will make a helper fit for him.” We all need helpers along the way. People whom God sends into our lives to get us to that next step. It may be a mentor. A spiritual director. A counselor. A lifecoach. A pastor. A friend. It may be a business associate. A social connection. A classmate from school. These people have a way of lifting our arms when we’re tired. Encouraging us when we’re down. Taking some of the burden off our shoulders. They are trustworthy. Faithful. True. To ignore them is to reject the very help God sends us in our hour of need.
Where do you need help today? What are you working on that could benefit from the assistance of those around you? What keeps you from asking? We were not meant to do this life alone. We were not wired to do our work alone. We were not meant to live as if we were an island. God has made helpers suitable for us. Chances are, they are already present in our lives. Ask God to show you who they are and invite them in. You’ll be glad you did!
Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 19:16-21:21, Matthew 23:13-39, Psalms 28, Proverbs 7:1-5