Firm Footing

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Psalms 143:10 NLT

As I scan social media posts by friends this morning, I am surprised by how many are hurting. Even some who are mentioning joyful events like birthdays and centenary can’t seem to avoid touching on something melancholy as well. For many of us, this season of life has come with very real and very new challenges.

But in each instance, those who are willing to bear there weaknesses transparently, and lean upon faith, and look to the family of others around them who have faith as well seem to come out the other side of the challenge differently than those others.

I’m not saying that their asking for prayers always makes their problems immediately disappear and be replaced by happiness, prosperity and health. But there is something that happens where they continue forward, rather than being caught up stumbling through the past and wasting the present.

There is a firm footing to faith that is easily distinguished by onlookers when troubles fall upon us. It doesn’t mean that the hurt goes away, but it demonstrates something that even the best poets may have trouble putting accurately into words — but we all know it when we see it.

Imagine a mother seeing her baby hurt, knowing there is little she can do to “fix it” in the moment, but knowing that seeking God and calling together her closest to seek God genuinely and with a razor sharp focus is truly important. Imagine a child watching their father’s health failing shortly after having watched their mother die, seeing and experiencing all of the sights and sounds of the ICU that bring painful memories flooding back, but refusing to give up hope and insisting on praising and worshiping God and calling those close to do the same.

Faith does not look like a Sunday morning church attendance as much as it does a family of faith praying for each other throughout the week and showing up to help each other.

God’s will is that we love Him and love one another. So when we say “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” — we do well to remember how we can best hurt with others when they are hurting, and centenary with them when they are celebrating.

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15 NLT

For those of us hurting:

For those of us celebrating:

Lord, teach us to come alongside each other with love that shares in burdens and in joy. Help us to declare your strength and our own weaknesses publicly for your honor — and privately for our own humble repentance. We know that you are proving yourself a firm foundation and revealing your children even today. Amen.