Phone A Friend
The impact you have will be directly related to your choice of friends and how you help the people who need it most.
“Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done ...What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”...What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out...Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men ...Have them serve as judges for the people at all times...That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.”
Exodus 18:8-10, 14-15, 17-22
How good are you at building community? Does delegating or recruiting help from others come easy to you or is it difficult to ask others for help? What do your closest friends, the people you spend the most time with, say about what you?
Moses was trying to do things by himself and was exhausted. Thankfully, he had a truth teller in his life, his father-in-law, who was able to give him some sage advice. There are people in the world who want to serve the Lord and our lives are exponentially better when we share each other's burdens. Are you quick to offer help before others even have to ask if you see a need?
“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."
Psalms 68:4-6, 9, 20, 32-34
God is always working and sees what we need. He takes the initiative and helps those who cannot help themselves. David praises God for how His ways are just and true. Jesus intentionally went to serve the marginalized. He went to the most disadvantaged economically and socially. He said anyone can serve or help someone who will help them back, but your Father in Heaven helps everyone.
Who do you help the most? Friends? Family? An organization? Have you considered stepping out to a place where there is the greatest need even if it gets you out of your comfort zone?
“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
Proverbs 17:3, 10, 17, 22, 24
You will know who your true friends are when you face tough times. The people who are merely in it for what they can get or if things are easy will disappear faster than a cake at a kid's party. A real friend is one who will speak truth into your life while being there for you in hard times and the good.
How would you rate your friends? How would those around you rate you? How does this passage impact how you think about the importance of mentors in your life?
“This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves...my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols."
Jeremiah 2:5, 11, 13, 17, 30, 37
Have you had people in your life who hurt your relationship with God or with others? Do you have anyone who complains or is constantly negative about life? How is that impacting you? Misery loves company. This is where having boundaries and being intentional about who you journey with in life matters most. How are you helping people draw closer to God and away from the sin in this world that so easily entangles?
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again...While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:1-3, 6-7, 34, 36, 49-52
Jesus was and is our best friend. He is the most generous, trustworthy, compassionate, faithful, wise, and loving person we encounter. He is the model for showing how to choose friends and how to be a friend. Even He experienced betrayal by one He called a friend. He did not allow other's actions to change who He was and how He lived.
What was the first thing He did after being raised from the dead? He went to His friends so He could help prepare them to who God made them to be. Real friends have a lasting impact on those around them by encouraging them to lean into their strengths and live out their calling. The world was changed because of Jesus and His friends. How will it be impacted by you and yours?