Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day ( Wednesday 10/29/08)

Who's Standing By You?

Matthew 28:20 (Amplified Bible)
20) Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age.Amen (so let it be).

In the morning my brother drives me to work. On the way we will sometimes listen to the radio. If I have my choice it is the Steve Harvey Show. With all of the things that happen during the course of the day, I start my day with prayer and a good laugh. Well this morning someone had written in to ask for advice on a situation in her life, concerning the fact that she had married a man that was a recovering crack addict. She told of things that had gone wrong and that she knew that he had not recovered by somethings he was doing. She said she now wanted to ask for a divorce. But the part of her story that caught the attention of Steve and the morning crew was when she asked, did they think she was not standing by her man, in his time of need? Steve's response was "a better question is turn around and see who is standing beside you and who has your back."

So many times we pour our heart and soul into people, and when we need someone present to have our back or be in our corner we are devoid of the support that we once exhibited to others. I am not advocating that one should be there for another solely to store up points or favors to be redeemed in the future, but we should want to be a support and a blessing to others because it is the right thing to do. If only we would take the time to love out of our comfort zone, to stop doing and giving only when it is convenient for us, but to do it even when it isn't convenient. We do things for people we work with and associate with when it is convenient and we have the time to accommodate, but when it is uncomfortable and something that will cost us something,it is then, when it means something to have some one's back and to hang in there with them. When it is easy, when it is a no brainer, this is whenwe have the ability to do it in our own strength and power. It is when we are totally reliant of God's strength, power and courage, that it then means something. It is in that moment when it becomes a stretch, and a sacrifice it is then that it resembles Christ and not ourselves.

When we turn to our left who is there? When we turn to our right who is there? When we turn and look behind us who is there? It is factual that God is the one who never leaves or forsakes us, but are we not required to do the same? Should it not be that we are thought of as reliable instead of flippit, unreliable or one who seeks to gain, but offers little in return? It is time to start backing people up and standing beside them, instead of letting them stand beside us and then whenthey turn looking for us we are no where to be found. Make up in your mind to never again be one that is a slacker, stand up and gird up someone other than yourself!