God Speaking

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up…..” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Here in Vancouver, this week, the media has been filled with a tragic story of a young teenage girl taking her own life as a result of consistent bullying in person and through Facebook. The story is a sad one and according to the rash of responses to it, all too prevalent in today’s society. The burning unanswered questions running through many of our minds were very troubling ones. Did nobody intervene to stop this bullying? Were there no friends to stand up for her? Did anybody challenge those bullies? The other startling fact that emerged through all the responses was that bullying was not just confined to schools or teens in particular, but it even occurred in work places and even more abhorrent with abuse of elders. We have been created by our Heavenly Father to live in companionship with one another. Our very natures cry out for love and understanding. We were not meant to live lonely lives in isolation and the passage in Ecclesiastes puts it plainly;

“..But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

So how do we, who know the God of All Comfort, react when we are made aware of these horrible happenings?

Jesus gave us the most noble of commands;

“A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34)

Jesus changed the original message in the Ten Commandments to one modified by his love. Now how we love takes on a whole new meaning. No longer just a bald statement, “love your neighbor”, but now love filled with the incredible knowledge of the pure love of Jesus extended to us so we can extend to others.

Out of all the ugliness of this sad story of our little teenager came a ray of hope. Suddenly new messages began to appear on Facebook. Teenagers who were horrified at this story began sending messages to their peers to wake up to what was going on in their schools. I was thrilled to see one of my granddaughters urging others to look around the corridors and the playground. See if there is someone who seems to have no friends. Step in if you witness others taunting someone who is visibly different from them. Be brave about seeking help for a friend who seems depressed about a major problem. When I read these words I felt the true compassion that reflected Christ’s love for us, was overcoming the evil that had perpetuated this dreadful story.

Indifference to others around us does not just happen in schools. Sadly even in our church families someone can feel lonely and overlooked. Others may be carrying a heavy burden of worry that needs a caring listener to lift some of that worry. Paul urged the Galatians to be aware of this;

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

We may be in a work situation where we feel a fellow worker is not being treated fairly. We can observe and take no action, using that worn out old excuse, “I don’t want to get involved”, or we can extend Jesus’ compassion to the hurting ones and stand beside and support those unable to defend themselves.

What the young teenagers are promoting works in all sorts of different scenarios. It is amazing the strength there is in numbers when we need to stand up against injustices. Ecclesiastes has a very powerful message in these words;

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

When we know the God of All Comfort how much easier it is to let compassion and comfort flow through us to others and care for one another in the real sense of what the word “care” means.

Related articles

• The real world of teenage cyberbullying (macleans.ca)
• The Choice Is Up to You! (work4christ.wordpress.com)
• Are you up for sharing each others burdens? Many aren’t! (pastormikesays.wordpress.com)
• Bullying Victim Urges Others To Step Up (howtolearn.com)
• Bear and Share the Burdens (shareaverse.wordpress.com)
• A Season of Sowing (beingrebekah.com)