“…until the Lord gives rest to your fellow countrymen as to you, and they also take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then you may return, each man to his possession which I have given you.”
Moses is informing the Israelites that they are “all for one and one for all”. And God expects us to have the same mentality. At times we hear about people in our church, family, or friend groups that are struggling… we hurt for them but often feel helpless so we move on…. However, this verse sets a precedent that God’s people are to be strongly connected. Our motto must be that no one rests until everyone rests. This passage illustrates that I need a stronger “team view” regarding those who are in my community, instead of an “it’s OK, if I’m Ok” view.
What about you? Are you resting while someone close to you is fighting for their life? Have you received your portion of the “promised land”, and are content to put down your weapons and relax? That has never been God’s plan.
There are people in your immediate circle who need you badly. They may not admit it; they may cover it well… but there are friends and relatives losing hope right now. If that is you reach out to those who love you. They are not silent because they don’t care, they are silent because they’re unaware.
If you’re not in the middle of a storm, be grateful, but don’t be one of those who is unaware. Thank God for the peace you are experiencing, then pick up your sword and look around. Find the hurting loved one, and fight for them side by side. Christians don’t find peace by avoiding battles, they find peace by winning them. It is described as a peace that passes understanding, because while you are standing there exhausted, bloodied, and bruised, there is an unexplainable ease and contentment.
That is the litmus test for friendship. Love disallows apathy. So, if a loved one is struggling, join them… No part of the body can hurt without the whole body hurting. … So, when they fight you fight - and when they rest you can rest.
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
- Walter Winchell
I really appreciated this article and the way it calls us out of a passive kind of care into something much more active and Christ-centered. The picture of being “all for one and one for all” is both challenging and encouraging, and it beautifully reflects what it means to live as a true community of believers.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out to me most was the idea that peace isn’t found in stepping away from the battle, but in stepping into it for the sake of someone else. That’s a powerful reminder that we should be looking for opportunities to serve, not just waiting for them to come to us. There’s something deeply meaningful about the kind of peace that comes when we’re walking alongside others in their struggles.
It also brought to mind Acts chapter 2, where the early believers shared everything they had so that no one among them was in need. That passage has always been one of my favorites because it paints such a clear picture of how we’re meant to live—deeply connected, aware of one another, and willing to give of ourselves for the good of others.
Thank you for writing this. It was a timely and meaningful reminder of what it truly looks like to love and support those around us.