Vera Nazarian, a Russian-American writer once remarked: “When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself, it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe.” Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Reaching out is defined as to try and communicate with a person or group of people, usually in order to help or involve them. It can include engendering a vital connection to a stranger or perhaps someone in need. It can be classed as the hand of friendship that welcomes and invites. If we readily open our doors to the genuine beseechers in life, then we are adopting a Godly virtue. Matthew 25:35-40 confirms: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Virtues are considered as traits of excellence. High moral standards feature prominently in thought, word and deed. Generosity is often bountiful and usually present when need is prevalent. What is given, is always given freely. Romans 7:7-17 reminds us: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.”
It takes tremendous strength of courage to reach out to another. For some, it is not easy to move out of a general comfort zone and take on the extra responsibility or commitment.. When one offers the hand of friendship, only to find that it has been grasped firmly by a dependent, a new journey may begin that has never before been experienced.
Similarly, a no-strings-attached policy is the hand that God offers to us. His love is given freely and without restriction to all. As a result, the trials and tribulations of life that affect so many may diminish to a mere drop in the ocean. Shannon L. Alder, a female author and physical therapist who works as an inpatient therapist at a rehabilitation hospital in California once remarked: “Sometimes, you will go through awful trials in your life and then a miracle happens - God heals you. Don’t be disheartened when the people you love don’t see things like you do. There will be Pharisees in your life that will laugh it off, deny that it happened, or will mock your experience based on righteousness they think you don't possess. God won't deny you a spiritual experience because you are not a spiritual leader. He loves everyone equal. The only people that really matter in life are the people that can “see” your heart and rejoice with you.”
The lack of reaching out in some can mean a life of solitude or hardship for others. However, as God would wish, our own outstretched hand can provide support, hope, strength and courage to endure the trials of life for those in need. Isaiah 41:1-13 reminds us: “Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment. Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings underfoot, he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he. The coastlands have seen and are afraid;
the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come. Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!” The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved. But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
When we take others by the hand, we may offer a special hope to them in sometimes desperate circumstances. The care and concern shown by one to another can make a tremendous difference to them. The lost life, that they may feel they possess, suddenly rejuvenates and a forward vision of overcoming adversity and achieving accomplishment may become a reality. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 confirms: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Amen.
