“It was good of you to share in my troubles.” (v. 14) The
church at Philippi was there for Paul when no one else was. How hard it is to share in someone’s
troubles! More often than not, we prefer
to avoid our own problems and certainly not share in somebody else’s.
While social media has made it easy to share our lives with
the world, what pieces are we sharing?
Isn’t is usually the good stuff?
Yes, occasionally we let people know we’re having a tough time and we
may get a lot of “prayer hands” in the comments, but are we really sharing in
each other’s troubles? Is there any real
sacrifice being made?
Paul appreciated the Philippians' sacrifice and let them know
it wouldn’t go unnoticed. “…a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing
to God.” (v. 18) The Philippians were generous, as the Church today is asked to
be. Generous not just with our finances,
but our time and talents as well. How
lovely would it be to sit with someone and really feel like we’re being
heard? To share a heartfelt prayer or
honest word of encouragement – not a brief, superficial social media encounter.
When we truly make a sacrifice for others, God sees and is
pleased. As the Message translation
states, “it’s a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my
troubles.” The key word being ALONGSIDE. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we
come alongside one another. Not around
or near each other, not through a computer screen, tablet or smartphone, but
truly alongside one another. Letting
each other know we can make it through anything because God is with us.
Lord, let me be a light in troubled times. Make it clear when someone needs me to come
alongside them. Give me the courage to
make the necessary sacrifices and give me the strength to lift others up and may they be there to point me back to You in my hour of need. Amen
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