Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. Matthew 26:40
This morning I went with my men’s group to pray for one of our members who is dying. It was a great privilege and a blessing to those of us who went and, I hope, to our brother who is headed home. Our friend is dying courageously, but it’s tough. Why do we think he ought to do that alone?
It reminded me that as men we stubbornly fence in parts of our lives from contact with others. Obviously there is death, sickness, and trouble in life. Yet some seem to teach that such things are not an appropriate part of the Christian life. We are told that we are not to “confess” illness or death or trouble. Have these people read the bible? Have they experienced life at all?
Where is it written that we will never die a physical death, that we won’t be ill or that we won’t face trouble? No where. In fact, we are told just the opposite. We are warned that the life of the Christian isn’t easier than that of the non-believer; it’s tougher. Christians have a target painted on their back. We are told to encourage one another because we NEED encouragement and we NEED to encourage.
We can’t encourage one another if we don’t know the problems each other is facing. The idea that we should act like everything is great when it’s not is stupid. Our brothers are lots of fun in the good times; but they are part of the refuge God provides when things aren’t so good. We pray that God will wrap His arms of love around those suffering…He does that through the human arms that are part of His body.
Jesus got really upset with His disciples when they couldn’t or wouldn’t share the incredibly tough hours with Him before His suffering and death. He didn’t go off and suffer alone. He took His disciples with Him; they just failed Him.
It’s not brave to suffer in silence. It’s stupid and selfish. You see, everyone else is suffering. It’s the brave one who admits it; that opens the door to sharing and support among those who love each other. It’s the sign we are suppose to be showing to the world. See how we love each other. We love each other because we really KNOW each other.
So stop putting on the fake, “All Is Well” face when it isn’t. You’re not brave or a super Christian or a martyr. You’re an idiot.
Share and be blessed.
Nick
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