Mid-Week Message - Needing Each Other

 "These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."  Titus 2:4-5 (NLT)

These verses came to mind the other day while I was in the shower and I knew they were meant for this week's message.  I immediately began thinking about what I would say.  Then, as I was reciting my words out loud, I thought, "I can't use those verses!  I will alienate people!"  However, if God places it on my heart, it is for a reason that maybe I don't need to understand.  

I am well aware that the times we are living in are far different than they were in Bible times.  Women don't just stay at home cleaning house and cooking anymore.  And being "submissive" to anyone is looked down upon by more than just a few.  But I don't think that is why the Lord brought these verses before me.  

It used to be that we were involved in each other's lives.  We drew encouragement and knowledge from each other.  When we had a problem, we had plenty of people to turn to.  Churches used to be the source of help for families in trouble.  We knew our neighbors.  We could walk down the street and chat with each other by name.  Don't you miss that?

God created us to need each other.  But today we are being isolated more and more by technology and busy lifestyles.  Every moment is scheduled and when we do have downtime, we are in front of a screen of some kind.  We don't sit out on our porches and greet passersby and we don't turn to other Christians for assistance.  We "google" what we need to know or turn to an online community full of people we will never even meet face to face.

Although these verses reference women, the same is true for men teaching the younger men.  Older individuals have a lot to offer because of the years they have lived and all they have experienced.  I remember well the days when I had a young child that wouldn't sleep, or was teething or sick and I thought I would never make it through or that I must not be a good mom.  It would have been wonderful to have someone older step in and give me some reassurance and maybe a good healthy dose of advice.  That is what the scripture refers to.  We need to lift each other up and it is impossible to do that if we aren't even aware of what is going on in the lives around us.  We need to step out of our isolation and into each other's lives again.  

It is hard to communicate all I am thinking and feeling in limited space.  Hopefully you were able to catch the gist of it.  I wish for you, and for all of us, an expanding list of God-blessed relationships with those we both learn from and teach.  It is a basic need that God instilled in each of us.  Much love to you.