Helping the Weak

Romans 15:1-3

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself…

At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash. At the gun, they all lunged forward, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish line and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.

The others heard him and they slowed down, turning to look back. Everyone of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes.

People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters is helping others win even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

In the verse for today, Paul reminds us that in our very busy world where getting ahead is everything, you can make it a practice to slow down the dash toward your goal in order to help a weaker or fallen brother or sister. That's why we are called, "the body of Christ". We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. Look for someone today that you can help who has fallen. Maybe it's just with a word or maybe with a meaningful act of kindness, or maybe with sacrificial love, but you can be Jesus to another person today.

Story provided by author Dwight Hill