May 29 - Ecclesiastes 4:10

Woe to him who is alone

when he falls and has

not another to lift him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:10

^ESV

 

For the next few days we are going to be studying the friendship component to marriage.

 

Now some of you are not married. That’s okay! This applies to you too. One of the greatest human desires – needs, really – is friendship, companionship, fellowship.

 

Have you ever done a “trust fall.” You face with your back to friend. Close your eyes. Fall backward. And trust the other person to catch you.

 

I don’t necessarily recommend that husbands and wives literally do this … especially if the husband is 6’4” – 240 lbs and the wife is 5’2” – 120 lbs!

 

Figuratively, however, I do recommend that you do this with your spouse and closest friends … that you do this FOR your spouse and closest friends.

 

When I was in college, I knew a couple of cheerleaders. College cheering is not pom-poms and cheery cheers. It’s acrobatics. They throw tiny women through the air and it’s the job of strong male team members to catch them. It’s harrowing and impressive.

 

Men, you’re the strong male team member. Women, in this analogy, so are you! We’re both called to catch our friends and spouses whenever they are falling.

 

And they will fall.

 

That’s life.

 

From time-to-time, we all eventually and inevitably fall.

 

And it’s your job to catch them. Period. Otherwise it’s not just the fall that hurts – the job loss, the depression, the death of a loved one – it’s the lack of trust that comes from you letting them down.

 

Yes, you probably have your own stuff to deal with when your partner is falling. If they’ve lost a job, you’re worried too about how to pay the bills. If their mom dies, you loved her too. Yes, you probably have your own stuff to deal with. But your first job – as a cheerleader – is to get your partner safely on the ground before you deal with your own stuff!

 

That’s what teammates and partners and friends are for.

 

It’s not about you!

 

Question: What do you need to do to become a better teammate and “catcher”? (Note: Sometimes, this is working on your own maturity, teamwork, and mental health before the crisis.)

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to have

emotional biceps as big

as a male cheerleaders

real biceps!