RAISE EACHOTHER UP

"As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down." Exodus 17:11-12

On top of a hill with hands "lifted up to the throne of the Lord" Moses held the "staff of God" above his head so that those fighting the battle below could see the visual representation of God's faithfulness and power. With this staff Moses shepherded sheep, struck the Nile and led them out of Egypt. When his arms were lifted they were winning the battle. As his arms lowered under the weight they were losing. So Aaron and Hur brought Moses a stone to sit on and stood beside him and held his arms up until the battle was won.

This is a tough season. We are collectively experiencing all that 2020 has brought and we are also fighting individual battles because life doesn't fully go on hold. We are each experiencing our own level of fatigue which is why we must raise each other up, remind each other of God's faithfulness and remind ourselves of how He has shown up in our story. We must keep each other's arms raised toward the thrown of the Lord, the provider of miracles.

We all get our turn to be the zealous one; excited to stand up for the voiceless, care for the vulnerable and advocate for justice. And we all get our turn to be weary. When we are zealous let's provide respite for those who are not and hold them up with encouragement so that they don't lose their battle or abandon their calling. Let's not fan flames of anger or join in discouragement. Let's just acknowledge the situation then raise it to the thrown room until there is breakthrough. There is power in showing up; providing encouraging phone calls, dropping off a meal or sending a card. With every gesture that individually can seem too small collectively raises the arms of the fatigued. "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9). Let's spend this season raising each other up.

Reposted from Sept. 4, 2020