God's Helping Hand
In the late 1990s I climbed the Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with my friend and professional photographer, Dr. Chuck Summers.
The approach trail was rough and steep. But that was only the beginning!
After hiking for a little over an hour we reached the base of the peak which was an additional few hundred feet almost straight up. I had to use “all- fours” to get up the steep, rocky slope. Even then, I wondered if I was going to be able to make it. My shoes were not the best for such a climb and I slipped a few times. At one point, I had to take Chuck’s hand so he could help lift me to the next level.
After an exhilarating climb we finally reached the top. Though panting for breath, we were soon revived.
The view at the top was spectacular! You could see a full 360 degree view. We could see Mt. LeConte, Clingman’s Dome, and all the beauty of the Smokies before us in all directions. We sat down, took a well deserved break, munched on a granola bar, and marveled at God’s handiwork.
We had noticed something, though, at the foot of the peak.
Lots of people had decided to halt their climb at the last minute. They had decided that the climb up the last few hundred feet of the Chimney Tops was too steep. They couldn’t make it any farther.
How sad! The view from the base of the Chimneys was interesting but it wasn’t necessarily anything to brag about. Sure, they could enjoy the beauty of the seasonal wildflowers, the surrounding trees, and the craggy rock formations. But there was no view!
They had stopped short of the goal even though they were within reach of the summit. Just a little more effort, just a little more “try,” and they would have succeeded in making it to the top.
Maybe, like me, they needed the helping hand of a friend.
We often go through difficult times in life. The path is so rough and steep that we wonder if we have the strength to go on. God’s Spirit encourages us to make it all the way. It is His strength that gets us through. He wants to say to us, “Don’t give up. Keep going. You can make it. Here is my helping hand to lift you up.”
But what exactly is this “helping hand” that God offers us?
When we can’t make it on our own, God’s helping hand is offered to us through the love of a friend. But there is a catch: we have to accept the offer. We have to take their outreached hand and graciously receive the assistance they want to give us.
This Coronavirus pandemic reminds us that we’re not here to make it on our own. We are not to travel this journey through life alone. The oft repeated phrase, “We’re all in this together” is heard almost daily. By God’s prompting we must offer a virtual helping hand to those around us in need. And we must be willing to receive the help of a friend when we ourselves are the one needing assistance. That’s the way God’s grace works – once received it is to be shared. We serve God best by serving others.
The hymn text below by Richard Gillard reminds us of this truth:
We are travelers on a journey, Fellow pilgrims on the road;
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you in the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow, till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven, we will find such harmony, Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.
Rev. Mark Green is the Pastor for Senior Adults & Children’s and Youth Music at First Baptist Decatur.