You're Not Alone

          My friend, Alicia, carries a big load - she and her husband have only been married a year and recently Alicia became pregnant.  That was great news, but just last week she started to have problems and her doctor has put her on bed rest.  That same week her husband was rushed to the hospital - his right lung had collapsed; they couldn't determine why which made his condition all the more tenuous.  So he was sent home from the hospital a few days ago, and that is when he learned that he lost his job.  Alicia called several of us to ask for prayer.  When I talked with her, she said near tears, "I just feel like I'm so alone in all of this, like nobody can really help, you know, make a difference." 

            Well, you can understand.  I know there have been times you think you are the only one holding it all together.  But this newly wed couple, little Alicia and her young husband, they are wise enough to know - and I'm hoping you are far enough along to know that there is somebody on your side who was taking more than his fair share of the load.  In the 9^th chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus was conversing with His disciples, and with a man who had been blind from birth.  You know the story.  The disciples were wondering if the blind man or his parents had done something wrong to bring on his blindness.  Jesus said that no one's sin had anything to do with being born blind.  And then the Lord said a very curious thing.  In the 4^th verse He says out of nowhere - and it doesn't even seem to flow with the story - He says, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work."

            What an odd comment in the middle of a conversation about the blind man's problems.  And you have to wonder, to whom was Jesus addressing the comment?  We can't be sure, but I am inclined to think He was looking directly at the disabled man.  "We"...he said, (did you hear that?)  "We must do the work." Jesus said.   I think Jesus was reminding the blind man that he was not alone in all of his problems someone was on his side.  In fact, the mighty works of God were about to be displayed in and through his life.  The Lord wanted this man to know that God Himself was standing by his side.  "We," He said, taking on more than his fair share of the load.  It encourages me - and the story encouraged my friend, Alicia - to know that Jesus sides with those who bring their problems to Him.  Just that little word that he used, "we", is such a blessing.  We're not alone.  Alicia is not alone.  The weights of her problems do not fall on only her sagging shoulders.  Christ stands with her - just as He stood with the blind man that day.  And He is standing with you, too, especially if you feel as though you're the only one holding together all the loose ends.  Be comforted, be encouraged. Jesus is saying to you, we -I love it--WE must do the work together, you and the Lord who is on your side. 

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