Caleb Churchill from the Bronx, NY, recently preached for us at the Traders Point Church of Christ. The focus of this particular meeting was evangelism (you can listen to these sermons here). One of the points he made demonstrated how vital it is to be involved in each other’s lives as a church family, and how only then would we know how to best serve one another and help our brothers and sisters spread God’s word. He talked about us leaning on one another, building each other up, and rescuing each other when we struggle with temptation or discouragement.

He then said, “Be your brother’s keeper.  Be your sister’s keeper!” and it hit me. Yes! We are here to watch out for each other. Pray for each other (James 5:16). Reach out and rescue when one of our number falls (James 5:20). Bring food to the sick, comfort the weary. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Be present, and be considerate.

Our lives fill up so quickly with tasks that take our time. Speaking from a personal perspective as a mother, my goal is to mold these hearts to truly love the Lord, and that takes time. We are the managers of our homes under the guidance of our husbands. We set the tone of our home, we organize and structure our day with goals of maintaining cleanliness, preparing healthy meals, budgeting carefully, all while keeping God first in our hearts.

While these tasks are incredibly important and virtuous (Proverbs 31:27-30), I need to keep my sisters in mind and reach out a hand of friendship and give the gift of family. Let’s welcome each other into our messy homes and imperfect lives. We need to share our quirks and thank God that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). After all, in our weakness, God is glorified (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). We truly do a disservice to everyone around us if we pretend we are immune to life’s problems and temptations. Don’t we learn the most from people when they willingly confide mistakes they’ve made and how they have learned from them? My closest friends keep me accountable, and I thank God for them. They lift my hands up when I’m tired (Exodus 17:12) and share the joy of this beautiful life with me. They’re also incredible confidants and do not repeat what I’ve confided (Proverbs 17:9).

If we can interact with every soul in this world with a heart like Christ, we will gladly share the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15). We’ll be ready to bear someone’s burden (Galatians 6:2), reminding them how much Jesus cares for us all (Matthew 11:28). We’ll laugh with one another and share in that good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). We’ll labor together for God, even if that good work takes us out of our comfort zone. We’ll study together and let His light shine for all to see (Matthew 5:16).

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

~ Luke 10:27

So, am I my sister’s keeper?

Yes, yes I am.