The pain ran deep. Details severed our church family into sides. One in faith was not our description that day.
Heart-broken, I found myself in a quandary: I was at war. Someone on the opposite side on the line needed help. I wanted to give it. Yet I was also badly hurt from the entire situation. I even questioned our friendship wondering, Would she accept help from me? Some would warn me to leave it all alone, ‘don’t get burned.’
I discussed it with a friend who had some awesome insight. “Even when you are hurt or angry with a brother or sister, are you right with God? Can you still serve your fellow believer?”
Could I still obey God’s directives in the midst of pain?
What did God have to say about this?
Galatians 6:10 instructs us, “Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the body of believers.” I knew I had to try. If she refused, I had offered, I had done what I could.
As you might imagine that initial conversation was awkward. She hesitated to accept my assistance. As she paused, I asked, “can I pray with you?”
Relief flooded her tone, “yes”.
After a prayer that addressed her physical needs, and a thank-you to the Lord for her life, her healing thus far, and a request for our community to heal as well, she accepted the help.
That began a rebuilding of relationship and unity in Christ.
Sometimes serving the church members is easy. Sometimes though, it’s challenging. Surprisingly, Christians will not always agree on every single issue- just like no two people on earth.
But can we serve one another?
Do we allow our differences to excuse us to disservice our brothers and sisters?
Is that what Jesus would want?
Maybe you, like me, can become consumed with the pain of the moment, staring at the fresh scabs of deep wounds, wondering, How and Why?
While issues need addressed in a calm, empathetic manner; our differences should never become a valid reason to ignore anyone in need.
In fact, Jesus himself exalted someone who tended the needs of someone very different from himself in the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37.
Jesus knows our pain, confusion, and profound surprise when things go awry in the one place we think they shouldn’t. He will help us follow through ministering to someone we disagree with. He promises to supply all our needs when we ask. See Philippians 4:19. Let’s ask Him for help with just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know. You know how fickle I can be. How easily my feeling can get hurt. How I tend to clam up and not desire to put myself out there when others have hurt me. Lord, You do not call me to solitude. You call me to be Your hands and feet. You call me to love. Help me do that. Help me to love. And help me to address hurt with honest, open communication, trying to be empathetic. Help me to serve all my brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name, Amen.