May I Help You?

I read an inspiring story this morning of an Olympic event held for those with special needs.  Ten contestants lined up at the starting line of the 100-yard dash.  When prompted, the race began, and the ten took off, though one could hardly call it a dash.  Before long, one boy stumbled and fell head over heels on the asphalt.  As his sobs rang out, the other nine contestants stopped, looked back and then turned around.  All nine turned back to help the sobbing boy.  They gathered around him, offering him kisses and words of encouragement.  When his crying ceased, the ten contestants linked arms and proceeded to the finish line.

How often in our Christian race are we like the nine contestants who turned back to help a fallen brother?  I fear many times we are too busy with our own cares and concerns to notice the plight of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sometimes the race is a struggle to put one foot in front of the other, and we become so focused on the finish line that we lose sight of all else.  While it is important for us to be focused on the finish line, it's also imperative that we take notice of our fellow contestants. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Exhorting one another.  That means lifting each other up, encouraging, helping.  Yes, we long to reach the finish line, but don't we want to help others reach it too?  May we not become so consumed with our own race that we fail to reach out a helping hand to those in need.


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What are my favorite foods?  What inspired me to write The Delaware Detectives?  What's my idea of a perfect day away from work?  Find out the answer to those questions and more by reading my interview at Books Are Cool.