Articles
Help! I’ve Fallen And I Can’t Get Up
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Falling is something that happens to everyone at some point in his or her life. We fall ill, fall prey, fall short, fall into traps, fall off the wagon, fall on hard times. If you think you’re never going to fall in life, well….you might have just fallen off the turnip truck. J
Since falling is sure to happen, how best to prepare for a fall? Says Solomon, work with a partner, walk with a friend, swim with a buddy. Why? Because your friend can lift you up when you fall, your buddy can come to your rescue when you are in over your head in life.
It certainly matters who my walking companion is. It needs to be someone I can trust to be able and willing to lift me up when I fall. Companions from the world can provide sympathy and even some means of support during a fall. But it is only Christian companions who can lift me up so I can continue on your walk with the Lord.
It also matters that my walking companion can depend on me. When a brother or sister develops a chink in their armor, exposing a sensitive spot, they need to know that I will be a source of protection and repair. They need to know I will not be one who pokes at or points out their challenge to others their challenge. They need to know I will always have their best interest at the forefront of my every thought and action.
Disdain, gossip, and neglect are incompatible with being a walking companion. And aren’t those the main reasons we’re shy to confess one to another? They’re going to talk about me. They’re going to think less of me. They don’t really care. Let’s do all we can to make sure we all know one another as brethren in whom we can place confidence and to whom we can entrust burdens. Don’t assume they know you care.
Here are just a few of the NT passages which emphasize the importance of building relationships with one another:
• “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” (Rom 12:10)
• “Honor one another above yourselves. (Rom 12:10)
• “Serve one another in love.” (Gal 5:13)
• “Carry each other’s burdens.” (Gal 6:2)
• “Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph 4:2)
• “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” (Eph 4:32)
• “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:21)
A primary objective of our groups at Campbell Road is to initiate and sustain uplifting Christian friendships; to engender confidence in and commitment to one another. The more you share life with your brethren, the better prepared they will be to inspire and elevate you out of those falling-down moments.
I am reminded of that old commercial with the tagline, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Don’t be that lady! Take every opportunity to strengthen Christian friendships by going to the group home meetings and the group outreach meetings.
