Better Together
Apparently, there are people who play in mud for fun. If you have never made this realization, you certainly need more country friends. I spent a week in Nova Scotia, Canada one summer. While I was sipping some mediocre Tim Horton’s coffee, some kids suggested we go “mudding” later that day. I assumed this was North-Carolina-Style muddin’. If you are unfamiliar, let me help you out. This is a southern activity where a bunch of people squeeze into a truck with unnecessarily large tires and drive through the mud while blasting Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Boy, was I wrong.
A truck-full of us ventured out into the middle of nowhere. There, we discovered a large mud crater. This thing was impressive — maybe 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide. It was massive and muddy. Giddy Canadian boys raced towards the crater like a deranged moose was chasing them. Once they reached the edge, they leapt into the air and face- planted into the gloopy mud.
I stayed back at the truck, because mud isn’t really my thing. I have gotten a mud mask done at the spa, but I had never played in a mud crater with a bunch of farmers’ sons. Peer pressure set in, and I reluctantly jumped into the mud bank. It made an indescribable sound, sort of like “GLORP.” Instantly, gravity pulled my body downward until I was waist-deep in rose-colored muck.
I tried to pull myself up, but I was stuck. As I struggled to pull myself up, I was sinking
deeper. “Awesome,” I thought. “This is such a gross way to die.” I called for help. Instantly all eyes were on me, well, about 45% of me. Once the laughing settled down (8 minutes or so), they began pulling me up. Like lifting a heavy sofa-bed, they all took hold and asserted all their force in unison.
“1-2-3 PULL. 1-2-3 PULL.”
Finally, with a disgusting silly-putty noise, I emerged from my mud cocoon. It took four people to yank me out of my mud trap. I can still remember the feeling of freedom that came over me after being unearthed. I was free. I wasn’t stuck anymore.
READ Galatians 6:1-3
“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.”
It’s tough being stuck. It’s especially tough being stuck all by yourself. When I tried to wiggle my way out of that mud by myself, it actually got worse. There are things in life that people just shouldn’t have to go through alone.
No one should have to suffer through depression alone.
No one should have to wait in the hospital alone.
No one should have to deal with a broken family alone.
No one should have to go through their entire day feeling like they have nobody who truly loves them.
Whether you are working through tragedy, healing after heartbreak, or battling emotional burnout, you are going to feel stuck at some point in your life. Don’t go through that stuff alone. That is why the Bible teaches that we are supposed to “share each others burdens.” When someone you know is hurting, help them. When you are hurting, seek help. Community is God’s answer for crisis. You were made to share your burdens with people that care about you.
Now is the time to find people to share the tough parts of life with. Be open and honest with them. Do the same thing in return. Celebrate each other’s wins and mourn each others’ losses. You will discover that you are happier together, stronger together, and better together.
Reflection Questions
Q1: Are you team mudding or team mud mask?
Q2: Describe a time when someone helped you through a rough time. How did that make you feel?
Q3:Describe a time when you helped someone through a tough situation. How did it impact your friendship?
Q4: Is it easy or difficult for you to get connected to the community God has placed around you? Why do you think that is?
Q5: What’s one thing you can do to intentionally get more plugged in with a friendship
or community this week?