Thursday, August 14, 2014

Encouragement

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  Hebrews 3:13

In lieu of the news we have faced this week regarding Robin William’s tragic death, I wanted to remind us all of lessons learned this past weekend regarding God’s design for Heroic Friendships.  Please don’t hear what I am not saying.  There are no simple answers for depression or mental illness. A colleague, who pastors a tremendously vibrant, large and growing ministry at First EV Free Church of Fullerton shares his story with depression and in doing so, chronicles probably the most holistically informed approach to depression here.

Certainly within the church, we need to grow in sensitivity to, awareness of and ministry to those who are suffering from mental illness. Every Sunday as PCC gathers, we have people attending who are battling depression, have lost a family member to suicide because of depression or are walking alongside loved ones who are battling depression or some form of mental illness.

We weren't made to live life alone this is where the heroic friendship shared between David and Jonathan is relevant!  From their heroic friendship we learned of four aspects which God purposed for everyone to experience in community.  All week long Anne and I have been discussing these as they pertain to our marriage and parenting, but I also intend to review these with the few men in my life whom I share a heroic friendship with.  Here are the four aspects of their relationship:
  • Vision Casting: 1 Samuel 18:3-4 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 
  • Truth Telling: 1 Samuel 19:1-3 Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.”
  • Heart Healing: 1 Samuel 20:17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. 
  • Soul Sharing: 1 Samuel 23:16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
Human beings are complex creatures and we may never know all the factors that cause someone to feel or act in a certain way.  The good news is that God, who created us as complex creatures in a complex web of relationships, became one of us and lived among us.  He knows what it's like to be human.  He suffered and was tempted in every way we are and yet was without sin.  Jesus knows what you are going through.

This weekend we continue in our Heroes series looking at the life of Miriam.  I look forward to worshipping together!

I love being your Pastor!