Community Does the Heavy Lifting
- Mia Giesler
- Apr 19
- 5 min read
“Because these friends were the kind of community that did the heavy lifting for their friend, the man’s life was RADICALLY changed.”
“And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:2-5
Have you ever been in a season or a time that has left you so broken, so vulnerable, so hopeless that you could only sit in grief and sorrow? Have you ever felt so lonely and isolated like no one would care if you were here or not? Have you ever found yourself suddenly so caught up in sin that you couldn’t remember how you got there and wondered if it could be forgiven? I know I have…to all of the above. I have never been physically paralyzed but boy have I been paralyzed mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And every time, in God’s grace, He has brought me a community to usher me to His feet for healing. He’s also given the honor of being that community for others.
In this week’s passage we get to see what Biblical community looks like and how to BE that community. We get to see a group of people LITERALLY carry their friend in need to Jesus. What I love about this passage is they didn’t just bring the paralyzed man to where Jesus was and leave him when they couldn’t get through the crowd. Simply being there wasn’t enough. So they acted. They literally climbed a building, hauled dead weight of man up to the roof, MADE an opening, and then lowered him down (it doesn’t explicitly say but I would guess to the feet of Jesus).
The text never addresses the man’s faith itself. We don’t see the friends or the man ask Jesus for anything…but He knows why they are there. And it was the actions of those friends that ended up healing the paralyzed man. Their show of faith for knowing who Jesus was and what He was capable of. Their friend was broken and they knew they needed to get him to Jesus. In response, Jesus heals him first spiritually by forgiving the man’s sins and then later in verses 11 and 12 we see Jesus heal him physically.
What does it look like to have that kind of community? What does it look like to BE that kind of community? I think the example in this text is clear. Get them to Jesus. Move the roof and get them to Jesus and let Jesus. Pray for them. Pray WITH them. Encourage them with God’s word. Be an accountability partner. What needs do they have that you can meet? Sit with them. Cry with them. Praise God with them, for them. It is so cool to look at this story and see that because these friends were the kind of community that did the heavy lifting for their friend, the man’s life was RADICALLY changed.
I have found the times that I have needed community the most, God reminds me that others around me need it too. Whether you are in need or are ready to do some “heavy lifting”, spend some time today meditating with God on who you have in your life that might need a friend like the paralyzed man? Ask God HOW you might go about carrying them to Jesus?
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Take it Tuesday:
Read Galatians 6:1-2
We are called as believers in Christ to “bear each other’s burdens”. Sometimes the burdens we or others carry isn’t a life circumstance but instead it’s sin. Paul writes that if someone is caught in trespass (or sin) we are to help restore them with a “spirit of gentleness”. That could be lovingly confronting a friend that you see a sin that they might not notice. That could mean being an accountability partner or checking in with someone after they have confessed to you a sin area they are struggling with. Maybe you are the person who needs to do the sharing. You are stuck in this sin that you need to confess and let others pray over you.
As a mama, maybe there is a generational “curse” or “sin” that has been prevalent in your family or your spouse’s that you need your kiddos covered in prayer against. Spend time today and whatever it is…take it to Jesus. If God has put someone on your heart that you can come alongside and carry a burden, reach out to them. If you HAVE something that you have been carrying alone - for a day, a month, year(s) - reach out to someone.
Worship song: “At the Foot of the Cross” by Kathryn Scott
Wednesday:
Worship Wednesday:
Spend some time today just worshiping Jesus for who He is. Draw near to Him and praise Him that he designed us in such a way that we were not meant to do this life alone. He walks with us and he brings people into our lives to journey with as well.
Worship song: “I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle
Thursday:
Thankful Thursday:
Read 2 Timothy 9-11
The context of these verses is that Paul is in prison writing to Timothy, his mentee, as he awaits execution. Paul was writing to encourage Timothy in ministry and in these few verses Paul was giving Timothy instructions to come to him in his final time and also spelling out how the others he was doing ministry with left him at one point for various reasons, both honorable and hurtful. But the verse to pay attention to is the first part of verse 11… “Luke alone is with me.”It is recorded that Luke spent a considerable amount of time with Paul while Paul was imprisoned. While others went off to either abandon Paul for selfish reasons or they left to fulfill their calling to preach the Gospel, Luke stayed.
Sometimes our community is small but mighty. Quality over quantity if you will. Paul had experienced seasons of life and ministry that were flourishing and plenty. But here we see his season of small. And God still provided him a community. Maybe mama, you are in a season of small. You have only a few, maybe one who really know what’s going on; who are checking in on you or being intentional. Celebrate that. The enemy likes to keep us feeling isolated or like we are the only ones dealing with x,y, or z. But God is our Provider who is kind and meets our needs, not always in ways we want or expect. Sometimes our community looks smaller so He can show up and show off.
Spend some time today in prayer and/or journaling, and just give thanks to God for the community He has given you…no matter what it looks like. And if you have the joy of being a part of that small community for someone in your life, give praise to God that you get to be His hands and feet.
Worship song: “Thank you God” Sunvera Scott
Written by Mia, mom of 1
