Drawing It Out

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Proverbs 20:5

Insight

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves needing help to stay faithful and to adjust to a new life with God. This transformation isn't easy. We've been rescued from our old ways, and now we must learn to live under God's guidance. It's a big change, and sometimes, it feels overwhelming. We resist help because we think we should handle everything on our own. This mindset is all too familiar. We assume asking for help is a sign of weakness, but the truth is, it's a sign of wisdom and humility.

While individualism can make us self-focused, we need to foster a sense of togetherness. Our culture often celebrates independence and self-reliance. We’re taught to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, to make our own way. But the trajectory of individualism is ultimately self-absorbed. It leaves us isolated and disconnected. Instead, we must cultivate a vision of connectedness.

Help isn’t just something you take; it’s a crucial part of being in a community. When we think of help, we often imagine a transaction, something to be exchanged. But help is more than that. It's a bridge to connection. The real purpose of being helpful is to build connections, not just to fix problems. Today’s verse reminds us that we are meant to draw out the depths of each other’s hearts, to see the person behind the issue, rather than just the issue itself.

Imagine for a moment that your friend is struggling. It’s easy to fall into the problem-solution mindset. We think if we can just fix what’s wrong, everything will be better. But relationships are about the freedom to love and be loved. When we approach each other with a mindset of fixing, we miss the opportunity to connect on a deeper level.

God’s intention is redemption. He designed us to live in community, to help each other, to draw out the deep waters within one another. True healing and growth happen in the context of trusted, formative connections. We need each other.

Community requires trusted, formative connections. It’s about building relationships that go beyond the surface. It’s about loving and being loved, about drawing out the purposes of each other's hearts. So, let’s resist the urge to handle everything on our own, and embrace the help that comes from community, knowing that in doing so, we are living out God's design for us.

Remember, the deep waters of our hearts are drawn out by those with insight. Let’s be those people for each other, and in doing so, we will experience the richness of God's love and the beauty of true community.

Reflection

• What are some barriers you feel and face when it comes to accepting help from others?

• How can you overcome these barriers and embrace the support offered by our community?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for rescuing me and guiding me into a new life with You. Help me to embrace the help and community You've placed around me, to see beyond problems and focus on the hearts of others. Teach me to cultivate deep, meaningful connections and to love as You love, fostering a spirit of togetherness and redemption. Amen.