Help and Be Helped
It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. Genesis 2:18
God's intention for us to seek and provide help is woven deeply into the tapestry of human relationship. We see this all the way back in the beginning when He declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." This foundational truth highlights our inherent need for help. As Adam found help from Eve, we too find strength and support in the people God places in our lives. Isolation is contrary to our design, and many of the people we serve through Kitchen One for One deal with isolation regularly.
The importance of mutual help, to help others and be helped ourselves, is reinforced all throughout Scripture…
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
The wise writer of Ecclesiastes is speaking to the practical and spiritual benefits of having help. In times of weakness or failure, a helping hand from a friend can be the difference between despair and recovery. It is a divine strategy for overcoming life's challenges and ensuring no one faces hardship alone.
The New Testament continues this theme of interdependence…
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
This verse not only emphasizes the necessity of helping others but also frames it as a fulfillment of Christ's teachings. Helping others is not merely an act of kindness; it reflects Christ's love and is a part of living out our faith. Through bearing one another's burdens, we demonstrate the love of Jesus in tangible ways.
Jesus himself modeled the perfect balance of receiving and giving help...
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15
Jesus exemplifies the humility required to both serve and be served, or help and be helped. By following His example, we cultivate a community where help and humility coexist, mirroring the kingdom of God.
The call to help and be helped is a divine invitation to live out the interconnectedness designed by God. By acknowledging our need for others and stepping in to assist those in need, we fulfill God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
We should pray for eyes to see the needs around us and for hearts that are willing to respond. May we, Kitchen One for One, be a community that embodies Christ's love through our willingness to give and receive help, whenever the need arises, reflecting His grace in every interaction.
