For the Caregivers

Taking care of someone is a special job. It’s a job that requires self-sacrifice, patience, strength, and endurance.

It’s also a job in which there is VERY good company…if you’ve spent anytime reading this blog, I’ll bet you know the end of this sentence…yep, you guessed it…Jesus!

Check out this passage from The Bible in the book of Luke: (7:1-10)

“When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.”

Here’s ONE THING (as there are many awesome parts here) that is SO AWESOME about this passage:
It shows us, um, rather, proves to us, that Jesus did not have to be in the presence of someone to heal them. Jesus said the word from afar, and the man was healed.
But, now that you know this, or have been reminded of this, did Jesus ever wave His hand over a huge crowd and say, “be healed”?

No, He didn’t.

He COULD have, but He didn’t.
On the contrary, over and over, He healed one individual at a time.

One.
At.
A.
Time.

Jesus came for the individual. He came for YOU. He is fully God, yet became fully human, as God’s son, and came to earth for each and every person. Each and every individual.

So, if you find yourself in a place of taking care of someone…a child, a spouse, a grandparent, a relative, etc., know that Jesus Himself took care of someONE, one at a time. Not whole crowds at a time, but one person at a time.

In the text above, Jesus left wherever He was and “started on His way” towards wherever the ill man was. He stopped whatever it was that He was doing at the time for THIS guy.

Why?

Because it was EXACTLY what God had planned for Him in THAT moment.

Just as you, as a caregiver, are doing EXACTLY what God had planned for you in THIS moment. And…He’s there for you too…

Strengthening you, when you take refuge in Him, as you care for another.

Assuring you, when you seek Him, as you care for another.

Loving you, as you love Him, as you care for another.

So, in those moments when you feel alone as you care for another, take heart, for Jesus knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly how you feel. He knows exactly what you need. Be filled up with Him, as you care for another.

Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling the care for another. Thank you for showing us that you care about each and every person. That you, Lord, that we can find hope in You. Lord, I ask that you be near to all the caregivers. It’s a tough, and sometimes thankless job, but it’s an important one, and for those who follow where You lead, it’s exactly where you want that person for this time and in this place in life. In those quiet, still moments, help caregivers have the ears to hear the hope that You bring, rather than the despair that tries to creep in. Thank you that this life is short, and that eternity will be spent with You for those who have surrendered their lives to You and Your will. May You be glorified in all we do, Amen.