Helping Hand
Truth or fiction we may not know, yet we can learn from the story.
During the Revolutionary War soldiers were building fortifications in anticipation of a British attack. Logs were being pushed into position to block enemy gunfire. A lone soldier rode out of the forest and sat on his horse watching as men struggled in the mud with the rain yet coming down, pushing with all their might, but failing to get the log in position.
A sergeant stood and continued to bark orders: “Heave. Heave Ho!” The lone soldier slid off his horse, went down into the muddy ditch, put his shoulder to the log, and heaved with the other soldiers. The log slid into place.
The lone soldier moved out of the ditch, wiped off the mud, and mounted his horse.
The sergeant said: “Soldier, I do not know who you are, but thanks for your help.”
The man on his horse tipped his three-point hat respectfully and said: “Glad to be of help, Sergeant. Anytime you need an extra hand just send for General Washington,” and he rode into the forest.
Time meddles with historical figures and books are yet being written about General Washington. It would seem that he could have become King of the Colonial Colonies if he had so wished. However, he preferred not to be a king and resisted even being President of the United States. He did what he felt he had to do in the interest of bringing freedom to America. He served.
A helping hand is a beautiful thing. The caring and compassion of a friend in time of need speaks more love than a thousand words.
The work of the Lord is characterized by the need of a helping hand. Jesus did not attempt to do his Father’s will by himself. He chose 12 men to be his disciples. Then he chose 70 other disciples -- for a total of 82 men who were his helpers.
In Isaiah 6 the Lord asks, “Who will go?” and Isaiah resoundingly answers, “Here am I, send me!”
When a deliverer was needed for the Israelites, God chose Moses. God also chose Abraham, Joshua, Caleb, Gideon, Mary and Joseph, Paul the Apostle, and countless others. The Almighty chose them, because He needed a helping hand.
Paul chose Titus, Timothy, John Mark, and others to help him in his missionary travels and to start new churches. One good man or one good woman can do a lot, but the work is multiplied when 2 or more join together.
I missed Yvonne Okaah in church this past Sunday. However, when Laila and I arrived at the home of Renard and Desiree Tucker, we met Yvonne, a nurse, who had been with Desiree all night and day. Desiree was just home from receiving a kidney transplant. Yvonne was a helping hand.
And speaking of a helping hand, there is Desiree. Her kidneys had not worked for three years requiring thirty minutes of dialysis every noonday and eight hours of dialysis every night. Yet, Desiree has been faithful in church. She has served as a greeter, been on various committees, and worked with children. She never complained. Instead, she smiled and offered a helping hand. Then the call of life came, a kidney donor.
Of this I am sure: our self worth is directly related to our willingness and ability to be a helping hand. God did not wire us to be islands. He did not wire us to live in self-centered narcissism seeking our own pleasure. The Creator wired us to serve. He put us together to be vessels He can pour into, so we can pour out to others. Adam was to serve: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over it…fish…fowl…and every living thing” (Genesis 1:28).
Every human is wired to bring glory to God. That is, every human is wired to serve. Therein is joy. Helping is more thrilling than the highest ride, the faster car, the most luxurious house, or the most exquisite meal. Help brings hope. Hope defeats despair.
How are you helping? Who are you helping?
Love,
Pastor Bare