Built Up In Love

Ephesians 4:16

“from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

The call to Christians to stand together in their pursuit of God’s will is a consistent message throughout scripture and the reality that we are not created to stand alone is the same. When God created Eve, He called her a helpmate. Although this picture of man and woman represents much more than the importance of friendship, the message is clear, Adam was not created to go it alone. When Moses told the Lord that he couldn’t bare the weight of the task ahead of him, God gave him Aaron. While David avoided Saul’s attempts at his life, Jonathan was a steady friend and confidant. In the midst of trying times, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side, and Boaz offered a gentle hand of support. The word of God is filled with stories like this, and for most of us, our lives give testament to the joys of relationship.

Crystal and I have been overwhelmed by the support that we have felt from friends and family throughout our process of trying to have a child. When we miscarried our first child we told only those we were closest to. We didn’t want the church at large to know of our struggle because the last thing we wanted was for everyone to come tell us how sorry they were. What was interesting, was the way that God seemed to give specific people insight into what we were dealing with without us saying a word. God ordained some incredible moments of encouragement and support during a time of great need, and through these relationships Crystal and I felt the ministry of the church. God had mobilized the body of Christ around us to give just the words and prayers that we needed for the moment. In the same way, God has seen fit to burden the hearts of many to support us in our adoption. We are so excited to announce that in just these few weeks God has supplied 30 percent of the money that we need to bring our child home!

Although we never doubted that God would provide the money we needed for this adoption, I don’t think we anticipated the way it would feel to see those close to us give in such a generous manner! The words of gratitude that are owed to all those who have given and will give in the future are simply to many to write, but let me offer this prayer to you.

Father just as Christ is an advocate to You for His people, allow me in this moment to be an advocate for these that have given so generously. May you see their sacrifice not as a gift to us, but an offering to You, and the support they have shown, not out of love for us, but in devotion to You. Your word says that whatever we do unto the least of these we do unto you and in giving to us Lord they are giving to You. As they seek to bless us I pray that you would prove Yourself to them a God who will not be outdone. Reward their generous hearts tenfold and may Your name be praised forever more. Amen.