Dr. Phil, Pills, and False Fills

This blog was going to be very different a couple days ago, but I have been reading "Jesus Wants to Save Christians" by Rob Bell and I just got to the best part. I can safely say that because I have 40 pages left. He doesn't go too far in depth on this little topic, but it really stirred me.

In the book it says that the best testimony is two words "me too". These two words can be so powerful. These words come with no judgment, when it's heartfelt. This simple phrase reveals so much, it's a shared strife, a connection in a time of weakness. This kind of testimony is so important. So much healing and strength can come from sharing weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul writes; "That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Also in 1 Corinthians 9:22, he writes; "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone..."

In our world somethings don't change, people need help. If you don't believe me flip through the channels, Dr. Phil, Oprah, Extreme Home Make Over, and so on. Not convinced yet? Browse the Internet. You'll find pills to loose weight, make you happy, re-grow your hair, the list goes on and on. Still not satisfied? We elected a President because he promised change, he told us, he heard our cries, unlike our last President. (SIDE NOTE: I support Obama, I may not agree with everything he does, but I support him.) And then there is the phenomenon called The Secret. All these things fall short because they are too focused on the I such as; What do I get out of it? or How do I profit?

There is this constant need that people have to feel understood, to know that someone else gets it, that we are not alone. We are always looking for something that is going to make us feel important or better... Sadly, not like ourselves, but someone else.

Most of the time we think that money will fix things. If I just had the newest car, computer, or DVD player, then I would be happy. If I just made more at work, then I would finally be happy. For me I think if I was out of debt then I would be happy. I wouldn't... I would be happy Sallie Mae was off my back, but that wouldn't solve all my problems.

If we look to worldly things to solve our problems then it will always be out of reach. True happiness comes from doing for others. It's putting our selves out there and saying "Me too."

You just lost a love one?

Me too.

You are going through a divorce?

I was once there too.

It's putting your arm around someone else shoulder and comforting them in a time of need.

It's showing someone that you still care.

There is a moment in my life that I wish I could take back. I used to have a third Grandmother, a friend of the family who was just like a Grandmother to me. Her name was Evelyn. Well, during my parents divorce I didn't see much of Evelyn anymore. And one day while with my friends I saw her on the street. She was waiting for someone to pick her up, but she couldn't see very well. I was heading right past her and totally had the chance to say Hi! Evelyn, I miss you! You have always been so great to me! But I didn't. I hid my face so she wouldn't notice me and kept on walking. I felt horrible afterward and thought I would make it up to her next time I saw her. Of course I never saw her again after that. She was moved into a home, which I didn't know about until I found out she had passed away.

You feel like a horrible person for something you did in your past?

Me too.

As Christians we are called to be that helping hand, that support group, that non-judgmental friend. And as Christians we have that ultimate support group. I'm not sure if you've heard of them, they are called the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

There is a poem that I love by Mary Stevenson titled "Footprints In The Sand". The person in the poem is walking on the beach with the Lord and he is showing her all these moments in her life. She also notices that she see two sets of foot prints in the sand for the good times and one set in the bad times. She basically states, "What the Hell? Where were you when the times were tough?" And God responds with a "Um, I was carrying you!"

God knows what we are going threw because he's right there the whole time. He cries when we cry, he rejoices, when we are happy. Also let's not forget about the Father and Son bond here. God sent his only son to die for us. That had to be such a tough decision to make. I mean he was such the proud Papa. When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, the Heavens opened up and God said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." God, pulled out all the stops for his son, just as any parent would. Then He allowed his son to be put to death for the greater good. God knows pain. God knows suffering. God can empathize.

Knowing that God is a Trinity there is also Jesus' suffering to look at. The guy never got a moment alone. He would retreat to a mountain some where and people would show up wanting help, while he's recuperating. Not only that, but no one brought any food so he would perform a miracle and feed thousands with a couple loaves of bread and some fish. Sound familiar? Anyone have that friend that always needed to talk? Always needed help. Always just needed. It wares on you. You just want someone to give to you in the way you have been giving to them. Besides the fact that God is the one giving to you like you are to that needy friend, Jesus has been there. He's done that, and prepared a meal that fed over 4,000.

If you've ever been called a name, beaten up, or made an outcast, Jesus has been there. Let's not forget that Jesus broke the bread and said take this and eat it. This is my body. The bread has been broken. Jesus' body has been broken. Then he said take this whine and drink it, this is my blood. His blood has been poured. Why? Why has his body been broken and his blood poured? He did it for us, to save us. The Son of God, the child of everything that is good, creator of the world, was whipped, flogged, spit on, called names, placed on a cross to die so that everyone else could be saved, then stabbed by a spear. If that wasn't enough, he went to Hell. He lived a perfect life and he had to go to Hell. Jesus knows what it's like to go through hard times. When you are struggling, Jesus is there to say "Me too."

It is so hard to tell what is real and what isn't these days, so many people are out to get what's "Theirs". But the best advice comes from God and the Bible, these things are the rock. It's sturdy, unchanging, solid. Everything else is the sand. Ever changing, unsturdy, weak. But most importantly, the best fix to any problem is a friend who doesn't judge you and when you hurt they hurt, and they can say "Me too". If you can't find that friend on this plan of excistance you might want to check out this guy named Jesus and his Dad.

Also if you see a person in need, head slumped over, tears about to trickle down their face, stop, listen to them, and say "me too."