Monday, November 30, 2015

Are you a lifter or leaner?

Lifting and Leaning

There are two kinds of people on earth today, 
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.

Not the good and the bad, for ’tis well understood
The good are half bad and the bad are half good.

Not the happy and sad, for the swift-flying years
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.

Not the rich and the poor, for to count a man’s wealth
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.

Not the humble and proud, for in life’s busy span
Who puts on vain airs is not counted a man.

Wherever you go you will find the world’s masses
And ever divided in just these two classes.

And, strangely enough, you will find, too, I ween,
There is only one lifter to twenty who lean.

In which class are you?  Are you easing the load
Of overtaxed lifters who toil down the road?

Or are you a leaner who lets others bear
Your portion of worry and labor and care?

Ella Wheeler Wilcox
*

Galatians 6:2-10

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, 
he deceives himself. 
But each one must examine his own work, 
and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, 
and not in regard to another.
 For each one will bear his own load.


The one who is taught the word
 is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; 
for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 
For the one who sows to his own flesh
 will from the flesh reap corruption, 
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 

Let us not lose heart in doing good, 
for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 
So then, while we have opportunity, 
let us do good to all people, 
and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
*


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill,

I think there are times that we are the lifter of another's burdens, but sometimes, frankly, we, like the poor man left for dead by the robbers, are in need a Good Samaritan to be the lifter to us. Unfortunately in the church, many are as the Levite and Priest of said parable. Luke 10

-Carolyn

The Piper's Wife said...

Carolyn, thank you for your comment. I agree completely.

And here I go on my soap box:

I have said this same thing all the years we have attended organized Bodies of Believers. It always seems that "Missions" (in foreign lands) is held up as the most important thing in churches, and I agree it is important. But the Body is full of wounded Believers who are completely ignored.

Galatians 6:10
"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."

It is true that Wounded Believers can understand the unsaved and other wounded people because they understand, and they can certainly minister to others and do very well in reaching them, lifting them up and pointing them to the LORD in ways others can not do this.

*But wounded Christians also need to be lifted up, filled up, loved up! We run out of energy reaching out to others, because we are so wounded! and yet, we still continue, but think what we could do if we were lifted up now and then!

I know what it is like to be so wounded by this evil world, so I will not stop reaching out to others, and most of the others are Christians! The need for this is huge.

The "Levites and Priests" tend to look on at us and think we are all just fine ("look how they handle their pain!" When in reality we are sowing with tears as we live our lives for the LORD), and they also say, "isn't it nice how well they minister to others?", never considering that they should reach out to us and others also.

I have heard so often that "this is your spiritual gift", as they go off to live without coming alongside anyone.

FYI: Ministering to others, especially those of the Faith, is for everyone to do.

Glorify God with your very life! And you will find His joy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill,

As far as I am concerned, you can stay up on your soapbox and keep talking! :) You said exactly what has been on my heart, for so long now. Our church always talks about missions, outreaches, evangelism efforts, etc, while there are bleeding saints right there in the pews that no one notices nor cares about. What good is bringing Christ to a "lost and dying world" when you don't even bring Him to your BROTHER OR SISTER who is sitting next to you, in agonizing pain, limping along with barely a breath to draw. Scripture says if a man cares not for his own household, he is worse than an unbeliever. Believers take this to mean "earthly family/relatives", but let's apply it to the church...

But I fear the sad truth may be that most don't want to lift the burdens of the Wounded Believers. Scratch that, I'm afraid most don't even want to know those Wounded Believers exist. Because to acknowledge their existence would mean having to do something. But in this case, ignorance is not bliss. Hence, the "Levites and Priests" just walk on the other side of the road.

I also do agree with you that the Wounded Believers are often the ones who are doing the delicate work of ministering heart to heart to others, especially to those who are suffering (whether saved or unsaved), because as you said, they understand in ways others cannot. But someone needs to be there to fill up the Wounded Believers, when they, as you said, run out of energy.

I personally have come to appreciate both you and Glenn. I didn't even know either of your blogs existed, until I was reading another blog and saw Glenn getting rudely treated by a man with Calvinist soteriology. Glenn's gracious - yet firm - response to that man prompted me to visit TWB. I became a regular reader. From there, I came to follow your blog here at The Piper's Wife, as well. :)

So thank you, for all you write here, ministering to women. I also appreciate your silly cat comics and other cartoons, which do really help to bring a joyful heart as good medicine. Prov 17:22 The recent one about Mondays (posted I think 11/23)... sometimes that's "every-days".

Saved by HIS grace, the One who died in my stead
-Carolyn

The Piper's Wife said...

Carolyn,

I was tearful when I read your first part. I am right there with you and agree. It is a travesty when Christians can not love and care for each other, but, yes, "walk" on the other side of the road not choosing to see or help.

I could tell many heartfelt true stories, as I am sure you could also. Instead, I have no time, as I need to continue to walk with Him and do His work.

Your second part, I was so humbled. "Thank you" is not enough, so I will praise the LORD!

I am amazed at the way the LORD works in our lives. Who would ever think Glenn would begin a ministry on line, and I would never have done so, but he eventually needed me to respond to a woman at one point. We need to walk close to Him and do next things for Him.

Blessings to you!