Everyone has “that friend”…you know, the one that when they call, you know they need something! When the cell phone goes off and you glance at who it is, you see a family member that never calls unless they need money or need you to pick them up with a broke down vehicle. I know…we all have had those instances when we have said “Why did I answer the phone?!”
We live in a fast paced society, which has been an excuse for an “easy out” when it comes to only calling when we need something from others. I’m guilty…and so are you! So, my goal today is to remind us of the brotherly (sisters included) love that we need for one another.
Will we always see eye to eye? NO! And…not everyone within this ministry lives in my region, so I really can’t say that I “know” all of you. And, neither do you really know me. (If you did, you likely wouldn’t be reading this article… hehe). But, as with any ministry, there will be those we have drawn close to because of time we’ve spent with each other (which makes the point of getting to as many events as we can), and there will be those that we have never had the opportunity to sit down for a piece of pie with. The difference between knowing someone and not knowing someone has everything to do with developing a relationship. And…a relationship takes effort.
There was a day when I didn’t know anyone within Azusa StreetRiders, other than three members that I had met two years before I joined. I met Extor and Lydia Diaz and Clarence Brownlow at a conference in Louisville KY and we had a kindred spirit, went out to eat together that week, and stayed in contact for quiet a while before I joined this ministry. When I went to my first rally, I didn’t hardly know anyone. I sort’a slid in and slid back out by meeting a couple more people and stayed in touch with them as well. I’m sure the majority there looked at me and wondered who that nut was! Since that time, I’ve made many acquaintances and even many friends that I cherish.
As I call around the constituency of ASR I hear a common theme…one that brings me to my title about “The Glue”. The theme is the same from new members as well as some that have been around for a long time. That theme is…”I never hear from anyone.” Now, I don’t mean to be negative, and I certainly do not wish to leave a sour note, nor do I wish to bring so much focus on the subject that it causes more folks to think about the same thing…”Ya know, no one has ever called me either…’ (The power of suggestion at its worst)
A few Scriptures should be helpful with this topic…
Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…”
Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
The common theme is “love”, but there are things that brotherhood and the love shown will do…it will be a witness to others….it will stand with another during times of adversity (trials, temptation, failures), and it also drives to serve others.
I restored an old chair recently. All the parts were there and I could have put nails in to hold it together, but, that would have been tacky. So, I used glue. I had all the parts and was ready to stain, but without the glue it would have fallen apart within days. So, I ask, what is the glue? Its (in most cases) a hidden ingredient that holds things together. Its not the beautiful wood grains, nor the stain that shines, but when applied, it is not always seen but its of the utmost importance.
The Glue to this ministry will be our ability to show love “one to another”. We have love one for another, but when you “have love one to another”, it is expressed. Love is a hidden ingredient that holds everything together because others feel loved when love is shown “to” them.
I am calling us all to pray and ask the Lord to lay a person on our mind and heart. Jesus may only whisper “Nebraska” or “Colorado” or “California” or “Michigan” into your mind and spirit, but take that and find someone in that region and make a call. If you know someone is struggling (see the article Culture of Caring in the Rumblings for a short list), call them and encourage them. Call someone and pray with them. Text, email, send a card, go by and see them…the glue to growing this ministry is loving others more than ourselves.
Let is not be said, “The only time he/she calls is when they need something…” May we be known to have a “brotherhood” greater than anything or any other in this world.
May the God of all Peace guide your hearts…to love.
Chaplain Hardin
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