We Don’t Need to Struggle Alone

But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:12

At the gym, we’re in the middle of a months-long competition season and yesterday, I did one of the required workouts at our gym. I knew the prescribed weight was going to be more than I’d ever lifted, but I had a secret weapon. I know from experience, that if I have just a few people cheering me on, that I’m far stronger than when I’m lifting alone. So, my wife and some friends thankfully showed up. With them there, I did far better than I’d have ever done on my own, lifting more weight than I ever have before. They couldn’t lift the weight for me, but their presence and support made a profound difference.

So it is in life. When my life fell apart due to my addiction, I needed someone with whom I could share my struggle. So, I turned to a close friend who walked with me during my calamity. Then, early on recovery, I realized I couldn’t do it alone. Again, I needed someone with whom I could share my struggles. So, another buddy and I started meeting weekly for an accountability group, eventually inviting others. When I began to carry the message of faith and recovery to jail, I again realized that it would be better to not be alone. So, I asked that same buddy to accompany me. It’s been nearly 10 years now, and we still meet weekly for our accountability group and our jail Bible study. Through my faith and recovery, I realized that I don’t need to struggle alone, and I don’t need to do God’s work alone. Living in community, I can lean on my brothers and they on me. In doing so, our burdens and work are made lighter (Galatians 6:2).

This is what I get from today’s passage. In the story, as God’s people traveled through the wilderness. They were attacked by Amalek. During the ensuing battle, Moses observed from a nearby hill with his staff held high. While he held his staff up, his people prevailed. When he lowered his arms, Amalek’s army prevailed. Moses arms got tired though. So, two men – Aaron and Hur – came to his aid. They couldn’t hold the staff up for Moses, but they could hold Moses up. They gave him a stone to sit on and they literally held his arms aloft. Together, they bore a burden that Moses couldn’t bear alone.

It’s an obvious life lesson. I was made to live in community. With my brothers around me, I’m stronger than I am by myself. I don’t need to struggle alone and so, I shouldn’t.