Toy Stories: Ken — Responsible vs. Passive - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. (ESV)
In our living room, we have three places to sit. We have a large plush armchair, a plush couch, and what I would call a “fancy” chair. After a long day of work, I have those three options. The plush armchair is out; that’s my wife’s chair. She staked her claim on that as soon as we bought it. That leaves the couch and the fancy chair. Now, here’s the deal on the fancy chair. No one chooses to sit in that chair. Sure, it looks nice, but sitting on it feels like what I would imagine sitting on a sculpture of a chair would feel like. It’s hard. The proportions don’t seem quite right. And it is only occupied when every other seating option (including the piano bench) is taken. It is in no way a comfortable chair. The couch, however, (especially the far right side) is the single most comfortable seat in the living room.
When I think about what it means to comfort others, I think of the difference between our couch and that fancy chair. When I’m exhausted and run down after a long day, I want nothing more than to sit down on that couch. There’s something about it that makes me feel better.
I have friends who do the same thing for me. If I am feeling beat down or discouraged, I know I can talk to my friend Jason, and he’s going to pray for me and give me an encouraging word. He’s going to help me get back up. And if he can’t, he’s going to sit there with me in my discouragement. Those friends are more valuable than all the couches in the world. I’ve also had “friends” over the years who acted more like the fancy chair. They had plenty of things to say, but they didn’t feel genuine. And although they appeared to be friends, they were never really there for me when I needed them.
Our challenge this week is to be the type of person who is there for others when they need it. Be the first friend they call when something happens. Be the friend who helps lift them up when they need it. And when necessary, be the friend who will sit with them when they’ve fallen down.
APPLICATION
This week, pray about who in your life might need someone to comfort or lift them up. Then, take the initiative and don’t wait for them to reach out—call, text, or sit with them.
PRAYER
God, help me notice when others are struggling and give me the boldness to show up. Use me to speak life and bring comfort where it’s needed most.