You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”** Exodus 18:18-23 (NIV)**
Contrary to some popular opinions, we need each other. We are not islands and we were created for community. One person cannot do it all. And when they try, they wear themselves out quick. Ask me how I know.
Moses had his Joshua, David his Jonathan, Paul his Timothy to encourage and strengthen and help one another in doing the next right thing for God’s glory and their good. Someone to confide in, someone to help be a “load lifter” is a gift from God’s hand. Isolation and loneliness were never God’s plan. Indeed, in Genesis 2:18 (NIV) we see: “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” According to God, all else in the Creation was good but man being alone was not good.
God has gifted each one of us specifically for this time in His-story. We were created for great things through His power and for His glory. Not for selfish ambitions and vain conceits. He is not about us making much of us but much of Him. Yet the strain of the work can bear down hard and we need others to come along and do their parts of which they are specifically gifted as well. Also, when we are determined to do it all, we rob another of their chance of service for the Master which also aids us.
God is always working and His delight is to see His creation working together as well, to bring about much good for the kingdom in whatever area we are placed. There is much work to be done. God desires for us to keep our eyes wide open for opportunities (because there are plenty) – to see the need and to seek to meet the need. It can be as small as a smile or an encouraging word or as great as saving a life – it matters not. Whatever to help lift someone’s load in your spheres as the Holy Spirit directs. And remember, one never outgives God. Whatever measly sacrifice we might make is so graciously and abundantly poured back into our laps that it is no sacrifice at all. The opposite is true. We sacrifice our own lives when we do not pour them out like a drink offering.
“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.” Exodus 36:1 (NIV)