This
weekend the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region suffered a horrific storm
that left many without power and air conditioning in the midst 100 plus degree
temperatures. Our area was transformed into what many have compared to a war
zone. Our perfect world was shaken—although certainly not like it was that
horrible day in September—we were left in physical shambles.
This is an area of powerful and strong leaders. We are tech-savvy
and used to things running "our way.” All that changed in the light of day when
we found how severe and wide-spread the damage was to our region. Mobile phones barely functioned so our Twitter
and Facebook connections were limited. Some with power were without cable or
internet service. Food began to spoil and open stores were few and far between. Hotels quickly filled up with storm refugees
while others sat in homes that rapidly turned into saunas. Coffee was hard to
find and for this area that was nearly catastrophic!!
And then things started to change.
Friends reached out to friends without power, opening their homes
for them to cool off. Some made space in freezers to salvage food and save
budgets. One family helped a single mom fix bottles of formula for her baby. A
group of teens helped pull trees off the road so people could get to their
homes. Still others took to the streets to clear debris that road crews couldn’t
get to. Families moved in together for a few nights. Extended family gave up
their beds and took to sofas to sleep. Churches and synagogues became cooling
places where non-members could find comfort and rest. Still others prepared and
served food to the homeless. And then there were those that climbed the lines
to restore our power, many leaving their own families in the heat to help us. Stunning
examples of community.
Our sermon this Sunday focused Acts and the church community that developed following the traumatic death and resurrection of Jesus. People bonded together to share what they had
to meet the needs of others. They shared their faith, their love, and their joy
so that others might be blessed and restored. They knew what we found this
weekend—that we need each other—not just during a crisis, but every day.
As we stumble along the path of life we have a responsibility
to change the lives of others in a positive way. We have a responsibility to
give others hope. John C. Maxwell refers to 2 Corinthians 1:34 which described
the comfort God provides to us and that which we must pass along.
“Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted
by God. “ (NIV)
Maxwell writes:
God promises to comfort us in our troubles,
then asks us share that comfort with others. We are to empower others with the
power God gives us. Leaders who empower others offer these gifts:
Accountability: They help others keep their
commission to God.
Affirmation: They speak words of support and encouragement.
Assessment: They evaluate others’ progress,
offering an objective perspective.
Advice: They offer words of wise counsel and
direction.
Admonishment: They lend words of caution,
rebuke, or correction.
Assets: They give tangible resources to help their
people reach their goals.
Acceptance: They provide unconditional love, regardless
of the recipients’’ identity.
Application: They help others find places to apply and practice
what they learn.
So as you recover from your storm—be it a physical or
mental storm—reach out for comfort. And when you come through the other side of
your storm, reach back and help the still suffering. Your action of comfort may
change everything and one-by-one we might just restore our community and
inspire a pattern of love, joy, and comfort. The world around you might just be
transformed by a simple act of caring and unconditional love.
(John Maxwell, Leadership: Promises for Every Day, A Daily
Devotional, J. Countryman, 2003.)
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