JUST BEING THERE

I Was Just Thinking About the importance of  – JUST BEING THERE.

A friend shared a Charlie Brown Graphic that contained one of Charley’s timely and pithy comments: ”Be the reason someone smiles today. Even if it means just being there.” I added a comment: “IF ONLY one could remember the importance of JUST BEING THERE for the needy, lonely, helpless, hopeless, forgotten, disenfranchised, widow, orphan, burdened.... IF ONLY we were mindful to weep with those who are weeping, and to rejoice with those who are rejoicing... IF ONLY we would remember our responsibility to edify and encourage one another... IF ONLY....”

Shortly after reading the Facebook post, I read the devotional, Insight for Today by Charles. R. Swindoll. His post was on Matthew 5:14, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” He shared the following observations and thoughts: “Matthew chose the strongest Greek term in all his vocabulary when he wrote, ‘mourn.’ It is a heavy word—a passionate lament on behalf of one who was loved with profound devotion. The term conveys the sorrow of a broken heart, the ache of soul, the anguish of mind. It could (also) include several scenes: Mourning over wrong in the world; Mourning over personal loss; Mourning over one's own wrong and sinfulness; Mourning over the death of someone close. Interestingly, this particular term also includes compassion, a sincere caring for others. Perhaps a satisfactory paraphrase could read: How happy are those who care intensely for the hurts and sorrows and losses of others. At the heart of this character trait is compassion.”

It caused me to think about practical applications of God’s Word. First, Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT), “The gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” A functioning Biblical Christian is to use the developed gift by the work and effort to edify the Church. To do so, one has to JUST BE THERE. Second, the Biblical Christian is to implement Galatians 6:2, “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.” To carry the burden of another is best served by JUST BEING THERE to help carry the load and to encourage the one who is laboring under its weight. Third, Romans 12:10, 13, 15. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another…Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality…Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” These are not actions that can be efficiently carried out unless the Biblical Christian makes time to JUST BE THERE.

When a person is lonely, they need the personal presence, call or word to lift their spirit. When a person is grieving, in a non-preaching way, they need to hear and prayerfully inculcate (to cause of influence one to accept an idea or feeling) the words of Second Corinthians 1:3-7,  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God…If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance…And our hope for you is sure, because we know…you will share in our comfort.”

Biblical instruction is caught as well as taught. It should never be allowed to be a tradition to which one subscribes but a truth that one embraces and does. There are countless numbers of people with whom you can have a valid and helpful ministry by JUST BEING THERE. In some situations, words are inadequate. The reality of compassion, a smile, a tear that may be shed – all speak more than volumes one could read about interpersonal relationships. Despite one’s busy schedule, just stopping by with a word of concern or cheer will benefit the one who is lonely or nearing a threshold of despair. To share a joy or mourn a loss, JUST BEING THERE will assist one to know about the care and compassion Jesus Christ wants His followers to show and do.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.