February 5, 2016

I heard a story last night that I just have to share with you. The video from our Breaking Free Bible study was powerful.

Beth Moore described her two dogs. Her Border Collie is named Queen Esther, and they call her Star for short. This dog is so smart. Remarkable. On the other hand, the bird dog belonging to Beth’s husband Keith is a little more spacey. Her name is Geli. When they call the two dogs in from the field each day, Star comes immediately. She sits by the door as they call for Geli. Geli looks up, but doesn’t come. They call again. Geli looks up, but doesn’t come. They call again…

Meanwhile, Star keeps looking anxiously out at the field, waiting for Geli to come! She’s bothered. Why won’t that girl come when she’s called??

Eventually, Star came up with a solution all by herself. She went out to the field, got a stick, carried it over to Geli to entice her to grab hold of the other end of it, and then Star led her all the way back to the house. Star now does this every day. Geli doesn’t come when she’s called, so Beth and Keith look at Star sitting faithfully by their feet and say, “Go get your sister.”

The most beautiful gift I’ve ever been given is a relationship with Jesus. He is love. Joy. Hope. Forgiveness. Light. Strength. The answer. My rock. I could go on and on. If you know me personally, you know that I usually do go on and on about the Lord! I can’t help it! I love Him so.

But following Jesus is not an easy journey, and I bet you can think of a friend who is discouraged right now. Maybe she doesn’t even know how much God loves her. Maybe she just can’t find victory over that same old sin. Maybe she just doesn’t think God can use her, because she has so many scars. If you see her in this place, you know what you need to do?

Go get your sister.

Go to her. Look her in the eyes and tell her that God is calling her name. God has a great purpose for her life that only she can fulfill! Speak the love and truth found in the Word of God, and put your arm around her to bring her home. Home is Jesus. Bring her to His feet where she can hear Him saying that He loves her, and there is nothing that could make Him love her more, and there is nothing that could make Him love her less.

But what if your precious sister won’t come right away? “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” -Romans 15:1- Just keep praying. Keep going to her. Keep trying to entice her with that incredible love of Jesus. One day she’ll take hold of it and you can lead her back home. And then her Jesus will lead her to a place of freedom, where she can soar on wings like an eagle.

And by the way, here’s the jewel. It is not only our obligation to help a sister who is weak, it is also our joy! There is nothing that brings me more joy than pleasing the Lord and helping His daughters. I adore seeing women fall more in love with Jesus. Several years ago I considered this question: "What is the greatest compliment I could receive?" I decided it was this: "Christi, you help me love God more." There is nothing that fulfills me more than pointing people to God!

And I also know that a day will come again when I am weak, and I pray a friend will see me wandering in the field and she will go out and bring her sister home.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” –Hebrews 10:24-25

Now go. Go get your sister.