Sharing and Helping

“Share each other’s troubles and problems.” Galatians 6:2 NLT

“Life is about sharing and helping, about unselfish consideration and kindness to others.”

My thoughts today are about “sharing and helping.”

There is a great story about a Special Olympics event. In a race, one of the Special Olympians stumbled and fell awkwardly. Within just a few steps further, everyone else stopped running and hurried back to help their fallen competitor. They didn’t have to stop to think about going back; they never considered not going back to help the fallen runner. They didn’t see him as a luckless competitor, but as a fallen comrade – a friend in need of their helping hands. Arm in arm, they completed the race together, apparently without regard to winning or losing.

They just did what was kind and helpful to someone just like themselves without thought or regard to who would win the race. Considering their own individual, physical challenges, I think they each identified with the one who fell, and instinctively knew how much they would need someone’s help. They lost a race, but taught all of us something important about life. It is not just about you. That incident seems to illustrate the simple, practical counsel that Jesus gave, “As you would that men would do unto you, do also to others.” So simple. No wonder generations have called that the Golden Rule.

Life is not all about winning; life is about sharing and helping – about kindness and unselfish consideration. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another . . contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:10/13 NASV. Imagine a community, a church, a marriage and family, or a friendship where everyone lived that way – a place where everybody is somebody and nobody is nobody!

I believe that it is as simple as putting yourself in another’s place, identifying yourself with them and their need, and then responding with understanding, kindness, and helpfulness. People are most helped by knowing someone notices and cares. See Philippians 2:3-4 NLT/ Galatians 6:10 NIV.

Though you cannot solve everyone’s problem, fix every situation, right every wrong, or meet every need, you can do something to help someone. Years ago, I learned a simple declaration I recommend to you. “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do; and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.” Any one can do something sometime to reach out helpfully to someone else.

Simply stated, you have been helped; you can help others. Pass it forward. “Give as freely as you have received.” Matthew 10:8 NLT.

My prayer for you today is that you receive the help you need and give others all the help you can.