Be a Boost

My husband and I just went on a long bike ride through the beautiful Missouri countryside. I covered a total of twenty-eight miles; my husband more. Before you react in wonder, I should let you know that we both rode electric bikes. Mine has a battery pack that will assist me whenever I activate it. It has five levels. Before I activate it I can ride as if it’s a normal bike; where I do all the work. Level 1 definitely helps but after a while I barely notice it. Levels 2 and 3 are where I usually set it. Levels 4 and 5 are usually too fast for me. But, regardless of the level, I still have to pedal. Not all electric bikes operate this way. My pedaling activates the battery. I would coast to a dead stop if the pedals stopped moving.

So, for almost four hours, I pedaled. Now you can be impressed. It was glorious watching the scenery pass by; cows grazing in green fields, babbling brooks, old railroad bridges over deep ravines, fresh greenery of new leaves, wildflowers bursting forth in every direction. I was in heaven! Then I got really tired and voila! Battery assist kicked in. What a boost, not only to my tired legs but also to my nature-loving soul. It was wonderful!

Friends of mine are currently in the middle of moving and prepping their current house for selling. The amount of work required is huge. Add to that, a baby that wants to be held non-stop. Yesterday three friends showed up to do whatever needed doing. One would cuddle the baby while the other two dug in and cleaned, painted, and decluttered. My exhausted friend was so grateful for this much-needed “battery assist”.

How encouraging that extra boost is when we need it. Not just the physical aspect but the soul aspect. Maybe the soul boost is the most important part of the equation. Throughout Scripture, we are told to love one another and to show that love by our actions. “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

I started to think about the many times friends of mine have indeed shown true love and concern for me by their actions. Several years ago, a friend stayed with my elementary age kids so my married daughter could drive me to the ER with abdominal pain. My husband was out of town and I was desperate. When I got back home, one look at my face told this friend that I needed more help, so she offered to spend the night. She woke up early the next morning so she could fix breakfast and drive the kids to school. (The next day I had emergency surgery to remove “the biggest, sickest looking gall bladder” the surgeon had ever seen.)

I could mention many, many more examples of my friends stepping in and giving me that much-needed boost when I was too tired to do it all in my own strength. Lots of meals, help with gardening, babysitting, driving kids to activities, teaching for me, hugging me.

Then I started to examine my own heart and I was found wanting. I think I’m pretty good at praying for people, hugging people and offering words of encouragement, but I realize I’m lacking in the “acts of service” department. I also realize that in order to be good at acts of service or “boosts of love”, you have to really know someone. You have to “get in their boat” with them in order to see where they need a boost.

Many people won’t ask for help. There are a lot of lonely people out there. Sometimes all they need is a hug and a listening ear. But they won’t ask. We need to take action in many intentional ways in order to get in the boat with them; to get to know them and their situations so we can be an effective boost.

Sometimes it’s the people closest to us that need us to pay attention. Sometimes it’s our pastor or his family. Many times it’s that quiet, lonely single lady that would never impose on us.

Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. When asked who our neighbor is, Jesus told the story of a Jewish man beaten and robbed and left by the roadside. Two religious people passed by, but a man from Samaria who would have been completely rejected by the Jews, stopped and went overboard to do everything necessary to tend to his needs. Jesus told his audience to go and do likewise.

God knows I need to grow in this area. Do you? God is pleased with our loving intentions. Let’s ask Him to guide our steps so that our intentions will turn into genuine acts of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. And for those outside the family as well. God help us.

“Love one another with brotherly affection.” (Romans 12:10

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24)