"Then they came to Him (Jesus),
bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men."
bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men."
Mark 2:3
A man was crippled, but he had four friends who carried him to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He healed the man and forgave his sins. He could have never gotten to Jesus by himself. He needed support and help. Four men surrounded him, lifted him up and brought him to Christ. While you may not be crippled, you still need a support system. Everybody does. That's the reason we need family, friends and church. Sooner or later, we all have needs. Life can be overwhelming. We all need the Lord, but we also need others to support us and care for us.
I did my doctoral work at Southern Seminary, Louisville, KY. It was in marriage and family. My doctoral project was on the effectiveness of support groups for divorced persons. I established such groups through the pastoral ministry of my church. The data proved that divorce recovery groups are helpful and meaningful. Those groups provided genuine support for people grieving through the pain of divorce. You may not be divorced, but you still need the support of others. God did not design our lives to be lived alone. He made us for community and meaningful relationships.
Being part of a meaningful support group is giving as well as receiving. We all need to be needed. There are many in this world who need your friendship, care and support. Receiving support from others is important, but giving support to others is more important. Your need is the same need of many others. Find your place of service in Jesus name. Discover the joy of receiving and giving support with others. Jesus modeled it with His disciples and touched the lives of multitudes. Someone needs you today.
Prayer: Father, as You bring people into our lives, use us to be Your hands and feet to help. May we receive support, that we may give support in Jesus name. Amen.
