The purpose of having a community is to offer support to each other, to pray for each other every day. This message goes to a lot of different folks, some whose lives are going really well—the sea is calm and easy sailing; some who are facing mild trials—the sea is just a little bit choppy but manageable; and then there are those who are facing trials of a lifetime—the storm of unimaginable size and terror is hitting them right now! The challenges we face are not all about jobs, not all about relationships, not all about health, but the way to respond is all about helping each other and being in God’s word!

After washing their feet he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Master’ and ‘Lord,’ and you do well to say it, for it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow; do as I have done to you. “And so I am giving a new commandment to you now—love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:12-15, 34–35

We need to follow the leader. I know when I reach out to help somebody else, I feel better as to who I am—my circumstances don’t seem so desperate, my sea is not as stormy. He knew that, didn’t He? It feels good to love each other, it feels good to put someone else first, and it feels good to wash someone else’s feet!

Today, Lord, we give You thanks for picking these specific people who receive this message, for encouraging us to support each other and pray for each other. While we may not be in the exact same boat with each other, we are all rowing in the same direction. Lord, we thank You for giving us the example to follow—to love one another as much as You love us.