A few weeks ago I was reading a story in Acts; the one of the lame man sitting by the Beautiful Gate. So many things jumped out at me that I'd not noticed before.

As I read with fresh eyes, God spoke to me in a new way. It led me to unpack in more depth the importance of a healthy community. Never before have we needed to be connected more than in this season of enforced isolation and social distancing.

Even though we're all now housebound, maybe even living alone, it doesn’t have to mean we go without friendship.

As I read the story I kept getting stuck at verse 2. “And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate…”.

I couldn't seem to move past this point. Questions were filling my head: if the man had been lame since birth then who were "they" - the people carrying him - everyday to the temple gate? They must have cared greatly for him to commit to carry him EVERY day to a place where he might get some extra provision.

I wonder how many people it took to carry him there, and how long the journey was, and from where did they carry him? Did his friends ever get tired, bored or fed-up of doing this every day

It made me realise, more than ever, just how important it is to have people around you who will carry you.

We are built for connection and community.

There is infinite value in knowing there are people in your life who will lift you up and take you somewhere beautiful . . . literally.

Seeing the Beauty

I don’t think it was an accident that the lame man sat by the Beautiful Gate. He was on a journey to meet the most Beautiful One.

Have you got those in your life who would carry you every day should you need it?

Those who will help take you to Jesus when you need Him the most.

Who is adding fuel to the fire of your life? Do you have friends who encourage you to see the beauty in Jesus?

We need to make sure that we spend time with those who help us grow. And those who we can help to grow too.

Take the opportunity to invest in those around you who may need a little pick me up. And we can also choose wisely who we go to for support during these challenging and uncertain times.

Our best default is to always be kind. Always ready to reach out with love. To go above and beyond in showing that we care for others.

The one caveat though; you can’t be a superhero. You can’t be all things to all people.

Jesus was careful about who he spent time with. It didn’t stop him from reaching out to broken people and ministering to them.

But he spent the majority of his time and the most intimate moments with his close group of trusted friends and invested time in the relationship that fuelled Him the most: with God!

Stay safe. Be wise. Connect with others daily. And above all keep close to Jesus.

Let's Pray

Lord Jesus, 

You modelled so perfectly how to walk in relationship with you. You also show me what true friendship and community should look like. Thank you that you designed us for connection. Thank you for those around me who help set my eyes on to you. I pray I can be a beacon to others, that I might spread your light to those around me. Help me to walk closely to you and fuel my fire to see your kingdom come. 

Amen

What's Next?

Get a group of your people together, either on a chat group, video call or email, and create a prayer posse to back one another up with prayer. Fuel each other's fire by sharing scripture, being real with one another and loving, in the same way Jesus loves us.

Order a pack of He Calls Me post cards and write a note of appreciation to the women that have carried you. Shoot us an email to order a pack of 5 different designs for £6 (plus P+P).

Listening to: By Our Love - Christy Nockles, Let There Be Light - Hillsong Worship, Send Us Out - Gen Bryant , I’ll Find You - Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly

Further Reading: Acts 3:1-10, Philippians 3:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, John 15:9-15

Join us on Monday for Day 4 of Out of the Ashes.
Fuel your fire for Jesus with the right connection today!

Got a friend who you know would love the He Calls Me devotional? Send them the link and sign them up!

Love

The He Calls Me Team