Iron Men

Greek mythology recounts the story of Atlas holding up the world. What would it look like if daily we were holding up each other? Can you see yourself carrying the burdens of a weaker brother or sister? Can you see yourself listening more and talking less? When someone stumbles or falls -- or completely blunders! -- can you see yourself coming along side with mercy and forgiveness?

Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." It is a beautiful image of a similar truth, "Two are better than one for in them is a greater return for their work." It doesn't really matter how well any of us can do it alone. We are designed to do it together. As iron sharpens iron, we sharpen each other. We make each other stronger; more hopeful; more able. We do it in an environment of mercy and encouragment. When one stumbles the other is there to pick him up. When one is cold the other is there to provide warmth and protection.

The greatest joys of another are our joys. And they can be simple joys, too. They can be trivial joys. We are happy for you. We are not jealous or envious. If you get a new car, or new home, we are happy for you. If your son or daughter or grandchild makes the team, we are happy for you. Hey, if you get a tattoo or navel piercing, we want to see it! We are not looking or expecting anyone else to be any better than what we are at our worst. We all want to fit in and be accepted.

And the greatest sorrows of another belong to us, too. No matter how big or how small. We are not here to tell you to get over it or to get through it. One day or a thousand, if you are hurting we are hurting with you. We want to listen. We want to walk with you. We want to hold you up.

Isaiah 64:8 says, "But you, O Lord, you are the potter. We are the clay. We are the work of your hands." Notice the object of God's shaping: We are. God is molding "us" together. He does not mold us into individuals. He molds us into a community in His image. As the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One, so are we. We are one, the work of God's hands.

From time to time we are going to fail. We are going to drop the ball. We are going to drop you. We are going to drop each other. Make no excuse. Don't bother defending yourself. Humbly say, "I am sorry." Ask for forgiveness. We are here to carry you, too. It happens. To all of us. We live in a community of hope. A community of mercy. A community of peace. We sharpen each other. We hold each other up. We are here to make people feel better about themselves and closer to each other.

Here is a mountain man challenge. Will you join me? Call someone on the phone and see how they are doing. Don't be nosy. Don't pry. But ask how things are going. Ask about their family. Ask about work. Listen. Drop a note in the mail. Tell someone you are thinking of them. Try new language. Say "I love you," and mean it. Say "I am thinking of you" and do. And if by circumstance you have dropped the ball, maybe you have hurt someone you love, go see them face to face. No email. Not even a phone call -- except to make a date. Go see them. It might be hard. You might have to humble yourself. But cross the bridge. Allow the other person to share his or her hurts. Make no excuse. Don't explain yourself unless they ask you to. Then look them in the eye. Say "I have hurt you. And you are somone I love. I am sorry. Will you forgive me." It can be hard. But I am here to hold you up.

Thanks for climbing...I love you very much. Jeff