Sore Knees: Relate
In When Helping Hurts, Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert point out that helping is not doing things for or to people but with them. They explain:
Our relationship to the materially poor should be one in which we recognize that both of us are broken and that both of us need the blessing of reconciliation. Our perspective should be less about how we are going to fix the materially poor and more about how we can walk together, asking [Yahweh] to fix both of us (p. 75).
At LEAPAsia, we want to stand shoulder to shoulder with children, students, and teachers. We want to be a friend to them, another mom, sister, dad, or brother, and build a relationship that leads toward a happily ever after–an eternal one–together.
In this week’s sore knees challenge post, our key word is relate. We start with the Foundation who not only cultivates but also relates to us. Then, we move toward our relating to others.
The four sections of our teacher lectionary:
- Entering the Throne Room: a call to worship
- Seeking Mercy: confession, repentance, and forgiveness
- Advocating: mediating between Yahweh and our students (and their families), colleagues, and schools
- Going Forth: leaving the throne room blessed to be a blessing
References are linked to passages. Other links will take you to songs.
Entering the Throne Room
Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 17:9-24)
- Father in Son and Son in Father. You are one. Glorify Your Name.
- You in me and I in You. By grace, I am one with You as You are with Your Father. Glorify Your Name.
- You in us and we in You. By grace, we are one with You as You are with Your Father. Glorify Your Name.
Seeking Mercy
Be merciful to me a sinner when I separate myself from You.
- When my heart is divided by vile images—created things rather than Creator, gifts rather than Giver. When it is devoted to detestable idols—human ideas and ideals, societal norms and platforms—instead of to You. (Ezekiel 11:18-21)
- When I’m unequally yoked and develop partnerships with people and things that are faithless. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Remember that I am but dust; give me an undivided heart.
- Help me to weep and sigh over my detestable sins. (Ezekiel 9:4)
- Purify me. Help me to walk in the light where there is fellowship with You. (1 John 1:5-10)
- May I find the comfort and freedom that come from being yoked to You. (Matthew 11:28-30)
- Absolutely holy, one with You as You are with Your Father, may I be a worthy place for Glory to dwell. (Ezekiel 43:1-12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Advocating
I intercede for my students and colleagues; I labor on my knees for their divided lives and hearts:
- Sure Foundation for our times, share your rich store of salvation with me so that I see that I am as much in need of fixing as they are. Share your rich store of wisdom with me so that I know how to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, sharing their burdens and helping them find the way out of sin. Help me not to give up. (Galatians 6:1-10)
- May I take them as my sisters and brothers and love them like You love me. And so may they see the full expression of Your love in me. (1 John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:9-12)
- May I be like a mother sheltering them from the wind and like a father who gives refuge from the storms of life until they find haven under Your wings. (Isaiah 32:1-2; Psalm 91:4)
- May they find rest for their weary souls. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Remember that they are but dust. Be gracious toward them and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Going Forth
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.[1]
[1]”Breathe on me, Breath of God” by Edwin Hatch.
2 comments on “Sore Knees: Relate”
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Master Teaching 
Some great sore knees emphases from the Word, and I love that hymn.
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That’s one of my favorite hymns too. 🙂
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