Lifting One Another Up

Lifting One Another Up

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

I knew of Carol long before I knew her. I had watched her coordinate hundreds of volunteers, guiding them with wisdom and humility. I knew she was a leader who loved Jesus and loved others, and I prayed that I might draw close enough to learn by observing her.

One day, my phone rang. It was Carol. I was serving in her organization, but we did not know one another well. Her daughter was in the midst of a horrific divorce, and knowing my legal background, she was seeking to pray with someone who understood the system. And so that’s what we did, weekly, for more than a year. We prayed as though we were the widow who would not leave the wicked judge in peace in Luke 18:1-8. We were persistent and consistent, and God continually showed up in big ways and small throughout that hard time.

Through that journey of prayer and support alongside Carol, I learned the importance of serving as Aaron and Hur did for Moses. In the biblical story, as long as Moses’ hands remained in the air, the Israelites routed the enemy in battle, but as his hands grew tired and lowered, their enemy would gain the upper hand. It was only with the assistance of Aaron and Hur that Moses kept his arms aloft long enough for the Israelites to claim victory.

There is incredible strength in coming alongside a sister in Christ in quiet, fervent prayer over her hard things with no hidden agenda. There is no scarcity in the economy of God, and the success of another woman does not come at the sacrifice of our own. There is more than enough Kingdom work to keep us all busy, and we should be striving to serve as Aaron and Hur did at least as much as we are asking God to put us in the position of Moses.

— Julie

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Ask God to show you someone you can come alongside in sustained, prayerful support.