Yet it was good of you.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. (Phil. 4:13-14)

Dear friends,

I give thanks today for the goodness of genuine brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. My wife and I have several times been impacted by the verse from Philippians 4:13 which reminds us of the source of our strength in good times and bad, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Yet this morning for the first time I was impacted by the combination of that verse with the verse following, which says, "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." How good and pleasing it is to Jesus when his children share in one another's troubles. They are the tangible body of Jesus to us in our troubles. They remind us that God is not a God of affirmation alone but of concrete support and encouragement.

Yesterday a group of people came from one of our house churches and cleaned our home for us. They got on their hands and knees and scrubbed the floors, gave us support, food and money, and did everything in their power to love us.

In this time of distress for our family, as we go through cancer together with my wife, we are grateful for the love of God who gives us the strength to do everything by his Spirit, and we are moved and humbled by the the willingness of so many to share in our troubles.

"Jesus, thank you for coming to our home yesterday. Thank you for cleaning and setting things in order. Thank you for building a little table and chairs for our girls so Liz doesn't have to lift them. Thank you for being willing to get dirty for us, to do unpleasant, menial tasks. Thank you for loving us so completely through our brothers and sisters - for washing our home as you washed your disciples' feet.

Jesus, change our hearts today. Help us to be willing servants as we go on our way. Help us to respond to your call to be your hands and arms and legs to the weary. Give us the words and actions to strengthen the hearts of those who are suffering and in distress. Jesus, you are beautiful in all your ways. Thank you. Thank you. Amen."

Love,
Your brother Jonathan