Recently, our life group lesson was

about the group of a friends who were DETERMINED to get their friend to Jesus even if it meant digging a hole in the roof and lowering him down - WHATEVER it took... 

They were going to help their friend.

 

And - for whatever reason -  this made me think of Moses and how Aaron and Hur held his arms up so he could continue to do what The Lord directed, 

even when he was weary... and don't we all get weary sometimes? 

 

I hope you have friends like the one in The Gospels... and Exodus too... 

Friends that will stand by your side, lead you back to Jesus...

Friends that help you win in life...

And I pray that I can be the person that helps others win...

Helps them do their best

without gossiping or 'tearing them down' in some way that makes me look / feel better...because we all know if someone REALLY looks at that behavior the gossip-y one comes out looking worse... right?

I love this story that came across my social media this week

[I think it's from 2012...]

I hope you can see the video...

If not, link here - 

 

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[If not, look up Ivan Fernandez and Abel Mutai]

Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was only a few meters from the finish line, but got confused with the signs and stopped, thinking he had finished the race. Ivan Fernandez, from Spain, was right behind him and, realizing what was going on, started shouting to the Kenyan to keep running. Mutai did not know Spanish and did not understand. 

 

Realizing what was going on, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.

 A reporter asked Ivan, "Why did you do this?" Ivan replied, "My dream is that one day we can have some sort of community life where we push ourselves and also others to win."

The reporter insisted "But why did you let the Kenyan win?" Ivan replied, 

 "I didn't let him win, he was going to win. The race was his."

The reporter insisted and asked again, "But you could have won!" Ivan looked at him and replied: "But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor of this medal? 

What would my Mother think of it?" 

Our values are transmitted from generation to generation. 

What values do we teach our children? 

Let's not take advantage of people's weaknesses -

Instead let's be intentional about strengthening them.

 

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people back up.

- John Holmes 

Helping others doesn't mean we won't continue to do our best, of course we will...

The Lord expects us to love Him and serve Him with our whole heart...

But we can all 'win' at life...

We can all push someone to the finish line... reach down, pick someone up... 

take our friends to Jesus... 

where they can find the ultimate win in life - 

New Life in Christ...

The One who gives us the peace that passes all understanding...