Getting all the support you need

Something I’ve been pondering the idea of “support” for a while now, and yes I have written about the idea of getting your tank filled and all that kind of stuff. Things keep happening recently that keep me stuck on this topic though. From what I’m seeing and hearing, when it comes to ministry one of the biggest things that people seem to need to continue powering on is that of support from people. A big vision and passion can give way to weariness and fatigue when there isn’t support from other people. But vision and passion, coupled with a thriving team that has got each others’ backs seems to take on the challenges they face, and actually seem to get stronger because of trials.

I guess the easy way to understand this is through what psychologists would call “needs” that a person has. As human beings we seem to need community to survive. We derive much of what we need to feel fulfillment in life through relating to people and relationships we have. Yet I feel as though our highly commercialised and individualistic society has warped what was meant to be the glue of society into a personal “need” that a person has. I believe that a person will not be able to easily “find” the support they need when their primary aim is to “get” from another person. I believe that in understanding our need for support, the first step should be a commitment to BEING a supportive person.

I’ve seen this when people try to build a team, and they focus so much on what people can bring to the table that they forget that they are at the bottom line, a person. A human being, the epitome of God’s creation. Each person needs to be honoured and valued as a person, and not “used” like a tool. I am very guilty of this, and as Bec and I talk about what is happening in our church and how people are going, I do slip in the word “use” when referring to a person. Bec is quick to correct me in this and I’ve learnt that I need to watch my language because it colours the world I live in.

But when we learn to put the needs of others first (as Jesus commanded), I believe we build around ourselves people that over time you will build trust with, and who will one day watch your back. If we’re not careful we demand people to respect and honour us when we’ve done nothing to earn their respect and trust. I’ve heard many people say, “I’ll respect you if you respect me FIRST.” The kingdom of God is “I’ll respect you because you’re God’s creation”, end of story. It’s a hard road to walk, and there will be times when people betray our trust and hurt us. But try often enough with enough people and I’m sure you’ll have a community of people who will watch your back.

The surest way to get all the support you need, is to support the people around you first.