Life is full of highs and lows, many times in the same day. These past few weeks have been extremely busy, full of fun, surprises, and total exhaustion. We had taken an epic trip home from the end of baseball season arriving to see our house after Hurricane Irma. I was amazed and humbled that our home was spared so much damage. Our yard lost lots of trees and landscaping, but with hard work of friends and our landscaping company, our yard was beautiful. Walking into our home, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was messy with the remnants of our outdoor furniture being in the house, yet easily cleaned in a couple of days. Then the task of unpacking six months of baseball season.
By Friday, I was exhausted and depleted. The tears came. Sleep did not. The sadness of seeing others who had more damage than us, of entire lives sitting on the edge of streets and the work crews who haven’t seen a day off in over a month. My soul despaired for their stories of fear and desperation through the storm. My heart broke for the weariness in their eyes.
In Exodus, the Israelites questioned if God was with them. Then the Amalekites attacked them. Moses told Joshua to go and fight. Then Moses stood on top of the hill with his staff in his hand extended to God. Aaron and Hur had followed him. As long as Moses’ lifted his hand, the Israelites were winning. When he lowered his arm, they lost.
“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” Exodus 17:12–13
Biblical relationships are essential as believers. We need to surround ourselves with believers that will encourage and build us up when we cannot any longer. When our arms are tired, they can lift them.
When my spirit grew weary, I couldn’t sleep, I was very emotional. I knew I needed to reach out to my support group, my community of believers. Even though I was running on empty, I purposefully encouraged and supported my friends when they needed their arms held up. Though my spirit was weak, my God is strong.
Choose the people you surround yourself carefully. Godly friends help support your obedience to God.
If you cannot see the group, you need to surround yourself with begin to pray. Ask God to bring the people to you. They may not be the exact ones you think they will be, but they have been chosen by God to hold your arms up while also supporting them.
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Do you need to build a stronger group of a biblical community to help hold your arm up? Are you being part of the community where you hold others arms when they are in need?
How can I help hold your arm up this week?
