We Need Each Other

He was an elder: It was a Monday night our regularly scheduled elders meeting night. It started at 7 and last over 3 hours. You know there’s nothing unusual so far. We talked about mission points, the challenges various members were struggling with, dealt with a few items on an agenda, handled a few requests from members about various matters and we prayed. The meeting broke up. On the way out Al pulled a couple of us aside. He said: “My son is dead. He shot himself this evening about 6.” He had sat there in a room of shepherds, peers, people who loved this mountain of a man, prayed with them for others - but never mentioned that his own heart was torn in unquenchable hurt. 

He was a preacher: He sat in the conference for two days. Nearly 20 hours of sessions, three meals, times of sharing and of prayer. Peers who would have loved to have shared their support and care, their hearts, their love. The day before he has been summarily dismissed from his long term role as a preacher and he was broken. What is it that hinders us from sharing our hearts with those who would most support us? Why do we not reveal our fears to those who would most understand? How do we hold back the tears from those who’s own tears have plowed the same lines? When we will learn to not be jealous, envious, fearful of those who seek the same that we seek? How can we learn to be open about our own doubts? Where will we take our concerns about how we might be treated as ministers as we age? We share with God, but He has taught us that He has supported others in times past just so they can comfort you when you face affliction. 

Next week and in the next few weeks in conferences and lectureship all over there will be those people and those times when you need and when you are needed. Let us not withhold our hearts, our love, our griefs, our compassion, our struggles from each other. Brothers, we must encourage each other.