"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
The ministry sometimes can be like a roller-coaster. There are incredible highs, unbelievable depths, sharp turns, break neck speed and, on occasion, several 360 degree loops. From day to day, just as it is with you, I never know what a phone call or a knock on the door might mean.
There have been many late night calls to come to the hospital for an emergency. There have been many unexpected calls informing me of a tragic family situation. There have been heartbreaking calls to come to the scene of fatal accidents.
Several years ago, Buckshot Avant and myself were returning from the hospital on a Wednesday afternoon. It was a bright, sun-shiny afternoon. We were getting back to the church to prepare for Wednesday night prayer meeting. As we approached the Jameson Rd. intersection from Hwy. 135, we immediately saw that there had been an automobile accident. A bad accident. Fire trucks, ambulances and Highway Patrolmen were on the scene. The Hwy. Patrolman was directing traffic, and as we approached him, we pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the car. I immediately told him that we were ministers, and I asked him if there were a family that we could pray with or maybe someone injured we could pray over. I will never forget his words: "Pastor, it is too late for that."
Those words reverberated through my mind all evening. But the more I thought about them, the more I believed that he was unwittingly wrong. It is never too late to pray. It is never too late to go to someone in need and hug their neck and weep with them and pray with them in their time of distress. I knew what he meant- the life had been lost- but there were still those there that needed ministry- they needed someone just to be there.
Today, perhaps tomorrow, but certainly at some point, we all will have an opportunity to be there for someone in their need. It may not be a tragic death, but it is still a situation where you and I can show the love of Christ to a brother or sister in need. Our assignment is to help. And one of the greatest ways we can help others in their time of crisis, is through hugs, handshakes and prayers. It matters not what the crisis may be- we have been called to love, pray, help, forgive, encourage, and to respond to others in compassion.
This week when you get that call or you have that conversation with someone who is hurting, don't try to give them all of the answers. Just be there. Love on them. Pray for them. Cry with them.
You never know; your day for someone to "just be there" for you might be right around the corner. Never underestimate the Value of Being There.
Brother Stuart
Galatians 6:10