S) "13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great."
Job 2:13 (NASB)
O) Seven days of sympathetic silence. Sometimes, people don't really want to talk about tragedy right away. Often, they need time to really process everything that's happened to them, or around them. Job needed a week to come to terms with his losses, I think, and his friends recognized that and gave him that space. at the same time, it's comforting just to have loved ones close, especially during difficult times.
A) I don't have all of the answers. Sometimes, I don't have any answers at all. A few years ago, my uncle had passed away while sleeping in bed. My aunt had gotten up in the middle of the night and when she returned to bed, she found him. I got the call around 3 am. It was the first time I'd ever been called for ministry of such greivous circumstances. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got there. My brother was also there. We both prayed for my aunt; we prayed for my sister, who was very close to this uncle; we prayed for my mom, who is very close to this aunt. And that was about all I said that night, those three prayers. Otherwise, I sat with them for about 3 hours, then hugged them and went home for the night - err, morning... I learned an important lesson in those twilight hours. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit within us will do all the ministering for us, just by proximity. We just need to be available and literally, just show up.
P) Father, I know that You always equip those You've called, so I never want to be fearful that I won't be able to do what You're asking me to do. You'll never ask me to do more than I can, I thank You for that, God. Holy Spirit, I pray that You are constantly ministering to the people around me. Even if it's only by proximity, I pray that they would see You in me, and that their hearts will hear the call of the Father through Your Spirit within me, Lord. Beyond that, though, never let me become complacent, when I'm called to act. Encourage me to be bold when I'm called to minister, taking action where You say, "action" and staying silent where You say, "silence." Holy Spirit, help me discern the difference. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) I don't have all of the answers. Sometimes, I don't have any answers at all. A few years ago, my uncle had passed away while sleeping in bed. My aunt had gotten up in the middle of the night and when she returned to bed, she found him. I got the call around 3 am. It was the first time I'd ever been called for ministry of such greivous circumstances. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got there. My brother was also there. We both prayed for my aunt; we prayed for my sister, who was very close to this uncle; we prayed for my mom, who is very close to this aunt. And that was about all I said that night, those three prayers. Otherwise, I sat with them for about 3 hours, then hugged them and went home for the night - err, morning... I learned an important lesson in those twilight hours. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit within us will do all the ministering for us, just by proximity. We just need to be available and literally, just show up.
P) Father, I know that You always equip those You've called, so I never want to be fearful that I won't be able to do what You're asking me to do. You'll never ask me to do more than I can, I thank You for that, God. Holy Spirit, I pray that You are constantly ministering to the people around me. Even if it's only by proximity, I pray that they would see You in me, and that their hearts will hear the call of the Father through Your Spirit within me, Lord. Beyond that, though, never let me become complacent, when I'm called to act. Encourage me to be bold when I'm called to minister, taking action where You say, "action" and staying silent where You say, "silence." Holy Spirit, help me discern the difference. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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