NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

May 23 - Spiritual partnerships

Scripture focus: By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (The Message)

I'm amazed at the difference a few friends can make during a tough time. Recently there was an earthquake in Italy. One lady was buried for days. She survived and was pulled from the wreckage in what most would call a miraculous rescue. While she waited, she knit. Yes, it's true. Although pinned in the rubble her hands were free, and she waited patiently for her rescuers.

I will probably never know more of her story than this snippet of information provided by the Associated Press in a lengthy article that primarily focused on the devastation this particular disaster has wrought. But I love the story.

If I may speculate, I can only assume that a woman trapped in rubble who has the presence of mind to occupy herself with knitting during her time of need is a woman who believes that someone is coming to find her.

Alone we are unprotected.

With friends we can face the worst.

Notice the question embedded in today's scripture focus – can you round up a third?

We have a responsibility to create the kind of community that relentlessly pursues any member who gets stuck in the rubble of a messy life.

We better get busy!

Recommended reading: Psalm 38-40

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