I Implore You!

Watch the video attached. It will take 8 minutes, but you must watch it to the end! See what happens when we all join together and surround the weaker brother.



BEAR WITH ME - YOU CAN"T WIN CHILE???

Would you bear with me a little while? For REAL! Just for a little while. I need back up. I need friends, allies, sisters AND brothers who will surround me during the most difficult time of my life. When the roaring lions come, to snatch me away, feeding their own personal gain, sporting with me just for the fun of it, I need to know that YOU are here. Would you bear with me just a little while?

Have you ever heard the modern quote 'I've got you're back' before? Sounds wonderful doesn't it? It brings to mind the following word picture for me. There I am…

Surrounded on all sides, the enemy is on the prowl, he circles me once- "awwww… she's weak on THAT side, poor little thing" as he laughs his most wicked laugh, circling twice, "ah ha, I see it, a nice FLESHY PART, I'll rip into her and tear her to shreds" he circles thrice, only this time, a bit closer, eyes narrowed, yellow wet teeth bared. He LUNGES, Wham! I cry out, Help, I've been hit! I stumble, I lose my way, trying with all my might to raise myself, I can't see, my are blinded with fear, but I can feel his breathe like hatred raging, hot on my neck, he is poised for the kill, BUT WAIT, a friend, they're stationed at the flank, my rear guard, my dear friend has Got My Back!

Whew, what a blessing!!! As I fight, they fight. When I am battling, they are there to help me. My friend and Rear Guard ready for battle. BUT listen; hold up just a moment, there are times when I am too weak to fight. During those times I don't need a rear guard; I need a front, left, right, and center guard. I may need someone to do the fighting FOR me, not WITH me. I know, I know, that sounds like a 'cop out'; someone doing MY fighting for me. Believe me, I don't like this any more than you do. Yes, people must TRY and try hard. We all must fight, press on in face of difficulties, never give in and never give up; however let's face it, there are times when everyone of us will face moments of weakness coupled with times of despair. It's easy to lose heart. If we really knew the statistics of all humans destined for greatness, yet never achieving their personal best after fighting and losing to that raging enemy, the numbers would dishearten us all. I'm glad to NOT know everything.

With all that said, I pray this year will be a time of real Unity. Unity like David and his bosom buddy Jonathan's. Jonathan was the kind of friend that would defy authority, break the rules, and sneak out a window at night to come to aid a friend in a fight. I'm not being flippant or irreverent, read the Word for yourself (I Samuel chat 20 - chat 24) you'll see. Jonathan went to David's defense during a time of great turmoil for him. In fact, Jonathan "strengthened David's hand" (1 Samuel 23:16) and faith by reminding him of God's promises over him. Betraying his own natural father, King Saul, Jonathan went out to meet David in the wilderness just to remind him that regardless of the circumstances, He is destined to succeed. Jonathan knew that David had a great and awesome purpose in the Kingdom. Now that's a friend, someone who will go out and find you, he didn't wait for David to call out to him; he risked it all to run out to his aid.

That's a lot easier said than done isn't it? Especially when it involves a weak willed, whining, milk toast kind of brother or sister; someone NOT AT ALL like David. Oh yeah, let's be honest. It's easier to go to bat for the one who has more charisma, character, and potential to do us a good turn later when it's our turn to need help. Jonathan's intentions were good, right and pure in helping his friend, but let's face the truth, not all of us can say this. In fact we may conveniently forget the struggling weak one who has little potential to ever do anything of significance. We may bear with the David's' of the group, the ones who will eventually be able to 'PLEASE' us later on. While the no-name quiet one is left to fend for themselves.

Romans 15: 1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Of course we should care for the fledgling weak brother. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. We should take His great example and love those who are less 'loveable' in the human sense, those who don't even YET appear to have anything going for them, unprofitable and still battling the small stuff we've left behind long ago. But guess what, there is something in it for all of us. I wish we didn't have to look at it this way, but it's important to keep in mind. We must consider ourselves; "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).

Take for example the weaker person struggling in the fight of their lives, tormented by the enemy in a battle for their very souls. We are asked to take action, get involved and literally 'restore' them, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal 6:1) . We are also asked to keep this in mind, you could be next! Not a pleasant thought but very true. We don't know in advance (usually) when the battle may over take us, but we can count on this one thing, the enemy will attempt to strike. Will our brothers and sisters be there to 'have our back', and what if we need them to fight for us not with us? Will they judge whether to surround us like an army of one or fight like a mercenary? I don't want a paid soldier or mercenary fighting for me, one who has no loyalty at all; he fights only for personal gain and materialistic goals. No sir, I need someone to bear with me. Ask yourself this, 'Will they fight for me based upon how profitable I am to them, or will they battle, even when I can't, because we're all in this together, unity? Jonathan told David to hold on, have faith, he encouraged him not to give in to fear, and he was there Johnny-on-the-spot, with a good word and a reminder. He told him not to worry about a thing because he knew David WOULD fulfill his destiny and he'd be right there along side of him (I Sam 23:15). That's what's in it for you and me. We'll be along side of them when they enter in, now that's unity! Will you bear with me a while my friend? I'd like to bear with you.

Anyone who really knows me knows I love, and I mean love, THE WIZ (1978). This particular song called You Can't Win sung by Michael Jackson reminds me of the games the roaring lion plays against his hapless victims. Like David may have felt, like you may have felt once or twice in your life. However, Jonathan came along and encouraged his heart, strengthened his hand and reminded him, Oh Yeah my friend, I got your back, front and side, YOU will win and fulfill your destiny, and I'll be right there with you.

..

(From "The Wiz" - Ever Felt Like This? Just Call on a friend)

You can't win
You can't break even
And you can't get out of the game
People keep sayin'
Things are gonna change
But they look just like
You're stayin' the same

You get in
way over your head
And you only got yourself to blame
You can't win Chile
(You can't win Chile)
You can't break even
And you can't get out of the game

You can't win
The world keeps movin'
And you're standin' far behind
People keep sayin'
Things'll get better
(Just to ease your state of mind)
(So you lean back, and you smoke that smoke)
(And you drink your glass of wine)
So you can't win, Chile
You can't break even
And you can't get out of the game

You can't win, you can't win no way
If your story stays the same
(You ain't winnin'),
No, no,
(But it's nice to see you)
(I'm awfully glad you came)
(Better cool it 'cause
It ain't about losin')
And the world has got no shame
You can't win, Chile
You can't break even
You can't get out of the game

You can't win
You can't break even
Ain't the way it's supposed to be
(You'll be spendin'),
No, no
(Your little bit of money)
While someone else rides for free
(Learn your lesson), ooh,
(Refuel your mind)
(Before some turkey blows out your flame)

You can't win, Chile. No!
You can't win
You can't win, Chile. No!
You can't win
You can't win, Chile. No!
You can't win
You can't win, Chile. No!
You can't win

You can't win, Chile
You can't break even
And you can't get out of the game
You can't get out of the game
You can't get out (wooh!) of the game
No, no…