In the last blog I talked about recognizing who are those who take our energy. For Jesus, I argue, that would be the disciples (among others). He loved them but He needed time away from them. I believe that Jesus also had friends who were easier for Him to be around.
Matthew 21:17 (NIV) And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
There is a pattern in Jesus’ life (near the end of His ministry especially) where He hangs out in Bethany. For the most part He is doing work in Jerusalem during the day. Bethany was a special place for Jesus. It is where His friends Mary, Martha and Lazurus lived. In most of the stories of Jesus in Bethany He is being served rather than serving. (Admittedly the one exception is a big one. It is when He raises Lazarus from the dead. But still go with me here.) Most of the stories we see in Bethany have Mary, Martha and Lazurus either serving Jesus or just being with Him.
John 12:2 (NIV) Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
In this story Mary washes Jesus feet. Martha is serving and Lazurus is reclining with Jesus. Jesus had relationships with people who cared for Him. He was still their God but when He was with them they gave to Him rather than taking.
As caregivers, (and when I say that I mean the personality type not just the job) it is hard for us to have friends that we don’t serve. Typically caregivers surround themselves with people who need them. It is one of the main ways I get my self worth but it is not necessarily a healthy way. We all need people who we can be with that energize us. This could be a formalized relationship like having a mentor. It doesn’t, however, have to be “one-sided”. It could be a reciprocal relationship where you encourage each other.
Think of that person who you would love to talk to but haven’t in a while. Not the person you “should” talk to but haven’t, someone you want to talk to. Odds are they are a person who gives to you. Odds are the reason you haven’t called them in a while is because they don’t “need” you. We deal with the urgent needs of others but often ignore our own. We all need friends. We need those who fill us up. Without them what will we have to give?
Of course the most important relationship that fills us is the one we have with our Savior. More on that next time.
Mark Wallace
Matthew 21:17 (NIV) And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
There is a pattern in Jesus’ life (near the end of His ministry especially) where He hangs out in Bethany. For the most part He is doing work in Jerusalem during the day. Bethany was a special place for Jesus. It is where His friends Mary, Martha and Lazurus lived. In most of the stories of Jesus in Bethany He is being served rather than serving. (Admittedly the one exception is a big one. It is when He raises Lazarus from the dead. But still go with me here.) Most of the stories we see in Bethany have Mary, Martha and Lazurus either serving Jesus or just being with Him.
John 12:2 (NIV) Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
In this story Mary washes Jesus feet. Martha is serving and Lazurus is reclining with Jesus. Jesus had relationships with people who cared for Him. He was still their God but when He was with them they gave to Him rather than taking.
As caregivers, (and when I say that I mean the personality type not just the job) it is hard for us to have friends that we don’t serve. Typically caregivers surround themselves with people who need them. It is one of the main ways I get my self worth but it is not necessarily a healthy way. We all need people who we can be with that energize us. This could be a formalized relationship like having a mentor. It doesn’t, however, have to be “one-sided”. It could be a reciprocal relationship where you encourage each other.
Think of that person who you would love to talk to but haven’t in a while. Not the person you “should” talk to but haven’t, someone you want to talk to. Odds are they are a person who gives to you. Odds are the reason you haven’t called them in a while is because they don’t “need” you. We deal with the urgent needs of others but often ignore our own. We all need friends. We need those who fill us up. Without them what will we have to give?
Of course the most important relationship that fills us is the one we have with our Savior. More on that next time.
Mark Wallace
0 comments:
Post a Comment