It is remarkable how easy it is to be focused on yourself in the journey as though it’s just about you.
It doesn’t take a lot. You know how you feel, you know what’s happening to you, you’re the one going through it. Given half the chance you’ll unload to sommeone else just how things are and if that person listening pitches it right, the torrent of self-centred streams of thoughts will gush out of the mouth.
The journey, however, is not done as a solo venture. The focus is not primarily about the self. There are others going through and there are others who are looking for help on the journey. They are looking for the help that you can offer.
This is help you can offer not just because of your own experience, but your ability to understand what the other person is going through and how you can apply everything you’ve been given to support that person. A listening ear. A word of advice. A reference to resources or material. A well timed piece of humour. The permission and space to vent. The rebuke that may be needed to get the other person to stop being so self-centred or for ignoring their responsibilities.
Not anyone can offer this help. It is not as though everyone is there to give that help. You are the one who can come alongside them in their crossroad moment. You’re the one who can remind them of the reasons they have to be thankful. You’re the one who can point them to the light even if things appear gloomy. You are the one who is there and you are the one who is in the best position to help.
Your contribution can make the difference. You may know that you’ll keep on keeping on in the journey, but there’s no guarantee that this other person will keep going. So stop and take the time with this person to comfort and console, rebuke and reprimand, enable and encourage. Yes, you. You can do it. They need you to do it more than even they admit.
It’s not just for you to keep going, you will need someone further down the road to help you. For now do your part to help somebody else. Let them know with all your heart,
“You gotta keep going.”
(Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 