CrossPoint Community News 06/03/2022

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

       What are ways that you can show care and concern for others? Last week, from 1 Thess. 2:17-3:5, we were reminded that when we love others, we show care and concern for them. So what are some ways that you can show care and concern for others?
       1. We show up. – This weekend there are a number of students who are graduating from high school. One way you can show your care and concern for them is to attend graduation (without grumbling!). Also, when people go through tragedy, particularly unexpected tragedy, it is best for us to show up and just listen, or simply be present. We don’t have to know what to say, but we can show our care and concern by showing up.
       2. We speak up – When we care about someone, we can let them know. I realize that this is more of a Western cultural phenomenon – like Words of Affirmation or Encouragement. But when we speak, we want to do what builds others up (cf. Eph. 4:29), even if it is criticism, to share things that will help them, because of our care and concern.
       3. We send up – We can send up prayers on behalf of those for whom we care. You may feel like prayer is a waste of time (or at least that you have better things to do). But prayer calls on God to bring his resources to bear on behalf of the other. You don’t have to be present to pray for another person. You can pray anytime and anywhere. And if you don’t know what to pray for another person, look in Paul’s letters and use some of those prayers (such as the ones in 1 Thess. 3:11-13, or 1 Thess. 1:2-4).
    4. We stand up – We can advocate for the needs of others. When we recognize a need, and we have the means to meet the need, we can step up to meet that need. When we don’t know how to support a cause or an individual, we can learn more about them, and then share with others why we have come to care for those people, those causes, to encourage others to show similar care and concern.
       Which of these 4 is easiest for you? Which of these 4 could you grow in? For whom do you show care and concern? Do they know it? What will you do to show it?

       May God have mercy, and please continue to pray for Ukraine. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.