[Deeply Rooted] Community Is KeySample

Sharing The Load

In normal circumstances, you are born into an existing family unit. For good or ill, you don’t choose your parents, your annoying siblings, your cousins, or the curious character that is your Uncle Bob. Family is a true gift in this way. As we get older and more independent, we get the opportunity to build relationships outside of our family, and to create community with the friends we choose. This is also a gift, and something that can make a pivotal difference in our lives. Creating community with discerning individuals to walk alongside us—especially in dark seasons—is critical for our spiritual lives and development.

The story of Moses illustrates this well. Moses was one of the major figures in the Old Testament. He was used by God in a mighty way to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. With God’s help, Moses led the Israelites through impossible odds and circumstances through the wilderness. At one point in their harrowing journey, the Israelites faced an enemy in battle and needed assistance to gain the victory. During this battle, Moses lifted his hands in prayer to God. While Moses’s arms were lifted, the Israelites were victorious. Moses kept his arms up in the air as long as he could, but being human, his strength began to fail him. His arms began to droop, and as they came down, the Israelites started to lose ground. They began to face the possibility of defeat at the hands of their enemies. Seeing this, two of Moses’ companions, Aaron and Hur, came and supported Moses and lifted his hands for him. His arms were able to stay steady until the victory was finally won.

We need people like Aaron and Hur in our lives. People who will help us stay steadfast and strong as we trust God for victories in our lives. We’ve talked about the family of God and the body of Christ through this devotional, and it’s in this gift of community that we can find people to stand beside us through the battles we fight in this life.

If you don’t already have Aarons and Hurs in your life, ask God to help you find them. Ask Him to reveal to you people in your community with whom you can grow in relationship and walk through life. If you have such friends, stay honest with them. Share your struggles and allow your friends to be the support you need when your strength fails you. We aren’t meant to share the heavy loads in this life alone. You don’t have to be strong on your own. Share the load.

Thought of the Day: Spiritual friendships are such a gift. I will ask God to help me find or foster the kind of relationships that will help me to be strong when I am weak. Thank God that I don’t have to carry the load alone!

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