Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

We are Sent to Show Up!

Dear Friend,

Years ago, I vividly remember Leonard Sweet speaking to a group of us when he said, “The key to care is be there!”  So very simple, yet so very profound!

The Lord who loves us sends us to show up!

When through our “people eyes,” the eyes of Jesus for people, we become aware of the need within some human situation, that very awareness is a sending – sent to show up!

Show up to do what? Perhaps just be there – the ministry of presence – perhaps to speak a word, pray a prayer or do some heavy lifting in support of the person or people.

^“David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.” I Samuel 23:15-16

Why do we fail to show up? We are anxious or think we are too busy or don’t want to get involved and so on.

When Jesus said, “As the Father sent me, I send you,” he didn’t add, “unless you are anxious or too busy or don’t want to get involved!”

May our Lord’s joy fill you as you see yourself as sent to show up. Know that the One who shows up through you is the Lord who loves you and loves those to whom you are sent.

Joy to you – Stan

© Copyright 2023 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. What is a time or situation in your life when someone else "showed" and their presence and assistance made all the difference to you?
2. What might hold you back from showing up in the life of another person in some need?
3. Are you willing to see yourself as sent to show up and to trust God to work through you?

Photo by Jess Zoerb on Unsplash