The Brother in the Darkness

Scripture:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has no one to lift him up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (CJB)

Reflection:
It’s easy to see a brother pull away and assume he doesn’t care, doesn’t want help, or simply chooses to be alone. But isolation is often not the cause of the struggle—it is the result of it.

Sometimes a brother has been knocked down so many times that he no longer has the strength to stand. Sometimes the darkness around him has become so thick that he can no longer see a path back into the light. What may look like distance, silence, or avoidance could actually be a cry for help that he no longer knows how to express.

As brothers in Christ, we are not called to stand at a distance and criticize those who have fallen behind. We are called to walk toward them. To seek them out. To step into the darkness with the love of Christ and help carry them back into the light.

Before we judge a brother for isolating, we should ask ourselves: Do I know how far in the dark he really is? Have I reached out? Have I checked on him? Have I been willing to go where he is instead of expecting him to come where I am?

Sometimes the strongest ministry we will ever have is simply showing up, sitting beside a hurting brother, and helping him stand again.

Encouragement:
Today, think about the brothers in your life who have become quiet, distant, or withdrawn. Don’t assume they’re okay. Reach out. Make the call. Send the text. Knock on the door. You may be the hand God uses to help a brother find his way back into the light.

—
Rev Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.Org