When I was growing up, there was a popular song released in 2003 called, “You Raise Me Up.” It was sung by Josh Groban and quickly became a song that was played at weddings, funerals, high school graduations, and more. Groban did have spiritual upbringing and many of the lyrics convey a strength in God, but the lyrics also describe the impact that others can have on our lives.
“You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.”
Somewhere along the way though, our world has turned more inward and less outward. You see people out only for themselves and focused on competition, rather than collaboration. There are so many ways where we can be lifters of others and can be a source of strength for people in their personal lives and in the business world.
In Exodus 17, God commands Moses to send Joshua to defeat the Amalekites. Joshua is going to go and actually fight the battle, but Moses is going to go to the top of the hill and hold the staff of God in his hand.
“So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” Exodus 17:10-13
Moses wasn’t in the limelight, but his friends could see the importance of his calling. They stepped in to help in three ways.
- Instantly – Aaron and Hur didn’t see Moses growing tired and then brainstorm about all the ways that he could do better. They didn’t offer advice or promise to come back later and assist. They saw that Moses was struggling and they stepped in instantly to help!
- Practically – Aaron and Hur grabbed a stone for him to sit on and then began to hold his arms up to help him bear the weight of his calling. They were practical in their assistance. They got in the arena with him and supported what he was called to do. They made it easier for him to be successful and to live out his purpose at that moment.
- Secretly – Aaron and Hur did not get a bunch of accolades for their assistance in this win. Honestly, we don’t even really see if anyone knew how big a part that Moses played in this battle. Aaron and Hur did not care to win approval or popularity. They simply wanted to help a friend in the struggle they saw and give assistance in the fulfilling of his calling.
When is the last time we stepped in and helped someone fulfill the calling that God has placed in them? Do we even take the time to make connections strong enough that we can see the needs in their lives? When we see someone trying to pursue the thing that God has placed in their hearts, do we compete or do we collaborate?
We can easily make a difference in lives by living out these three characteristics of Aaron and Hur. When we see a need in someone we can step in instantly, immediately finding out how we can help. Our assistance can look a variety of ways, but we can increase our impact by being practical in the way we help. Our help doesn’t have to be showy or publicized for the world to see.
Look around you this week. Who has God placed on your heart that you can go and encourage and help? Ask God to provide practical ways you can step in and encourage. We truly do rise by lifting others. Make that your focus today!
This blog was written by Amy Carrico, author of Making the Moments Matter Blog
Last Updated on February 17, 2024
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