Nougat 13

There’s an old saying, ‘the good you do, the thanks you get’, which suggests that when we do for others, we are likelier to face ingratitude and stress rather than appreciation for our help. When uttered, the one providing help may resolve to stop. Today’s Holy Nougat proposes a different approach.

“If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:26-27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We’re told this ALL the time – the reality one person faces impacts us all. Just think, most of us had little or no concern for those people in China affected and afflicted by the strange virus two Christmases ago. Who would have guessed it would have such long term widespread impact? Or that a dust storm in Africa could have caused airplanes in Europe to be grounded some years ago. And who would have thought that volcanic ash in St Vincent would plunge nearby Caribbean Islands under dust and darkness for some days.

Whereas these may seem stark or extreme, the same holds true for spiritual relationships, especially interpersonally. So, when one believer undergoes trials, it has the potential for a ripple effect on the others of us. Especially when the trial is compounded by negative publicity! Just think of the backlash Christianity faces when a public figure in the faith falters – we often get lumped in the ‘you people are all the same’ category.

Our natural inclination is to walk away (well take off running or speed away – squealing tyres and all!!) as far from the ‘stench’ of the person as possible. That is natural/human, even when we are related. Of course, sometimes denial or disappearing is not an option. We might be fully associated with the ‘fallen’ as Peter was associated with Jesus.

But what if we are NOT supposed to leave the offensive/offending person alone? What if God’s desire is that we accompany the one facing trials regardless of their innocence?

Please Note – Accompaniment is NOT an act of condoning the wrong.

Nor should we see Accompaniment as a coverup – where we hide the Truth and pretend one has not sinned (hence the increased scandals when the Truth comes to light).

Rather, in accompanying another, we remind that person of his/her TRUE identity IN Christ, assuring them that there is life AFTER mess By God’s Grace. We provide support and even help to dress the wounds until healing is effected and the person can be restored to the fold.

And as radical as it sounds, let’s consider a moment – that’s what Jesus does for us time and time again. In fact, Jesus starts by reminding God of our identity and negotiates grace and mercy for the time we acknowledge our sin and seek God’s forgiveness.

So we have a blueprint for Accompanying others.

Let us be reminded that we also have the converse; when we are blessed by the good work and good name of another. It might not come readily to us right now; but many of us do. A simple example – us using someone as a reference for a loan, a job, an appointment to a position, or for certain documents to be verified. As incongruous as it seems, we benefit from another’s positive status in those moments.

And lest we forget, it is Jesus’ reputation that offers us access to God’s mercy and grace. That’s the ripple effect. The interconnectedness continues! For, by one sin became our reality; but IN One, we have access to overcome sin!

And that’s what pulls us into the body. So let us not weary in helping others. Not now, not ever. Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ