On an earlier page we discussed the put-down. The put-down is an ancient and ugly practice. In a period when David was faced with significant put-down, he encouraged himself in the Lord. Part of David’s success as a leader was refusal to permit anyone to get him down. It is a liberating possibility many persons miss. The put-down is a major problem for persons and society.
What about those who are labeled wimps or nerds? Who coined the words anyway? They are commonly used among high school and college students. The connotation of the words is that some persons are weak, lacking in attractive personality features, unwilling to stand up for their rights, incompetent in dynamic life situations and generally uninteresting. In pop culture the fellow or girl is weird. There was a concerted effort during a presidential election to characterize the candidate for reelection to the presidency of the United States as a wimp. In fact, he had been an excellent athlete, had served during wartime as an effective combat officer, was successful as a business man in a competitive field, served in various government agencies, and was a dutiful husband/father. The word wimp reflects more negatively on the person using the term than on the person referred to in such remarks. (At this editing of the Page, I have read a number of post-election analyses. They vary widely in their conclusions about the elections, prognosticators, and political rhetoric. It has always been so, and though they differ widely they are counted as knowledgeable persons relative to government and the electorate.)
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul listed some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Church. One of these is the gift of Helps. He wanted to make a point – that the gifts are distributed, so he raised questions. Are all Apostles? The implied answer is, No. This is followed by singular questions for a number of the gifts, with the same answer. For some reason, the Apostle omits reference to the gift of Helps in the questions. The omission may have been quite deliberate. Not that Helps is a lesser gift, but that it is open for anyone who will take it. Not everyone will have the gift of Helps but there is opportunity for anyone to covet that gift. Do we covet this up-side to human relief? I may not have any other gift than to be able to assist someone else, a status held in high opinion by God. To have only the gift of Helps is not a put-down. It is a desirable gift.
The gift of Helps is a homely gift. That is a compliment. By homely, we mean that it is widely needed (our lives repeatedly need small and large kindnesses from others), but it is not particularly dramatic (one is not likely going to become famous by giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty person). It usually operates in small incremental ways (sitting with a lonely man or woman; drying a tear; offering a sandwich; complimenting a person). We might continue in this vein, but the point is made. Who is working at this level? What a godly honor, if it be so – helpful.
In all this we discover an open secret. When there is no one present to give the word, to lift the burden, to do a chore, I can, with King David, find there is a helper, unseen who likes to do things for me that no one knows about but him and me. It takes effort to put this gentle provision into action, and become an agent in the process. It takes faith, that such a service is available. It takes prayer, to engage that service in God’s name. It takes humility (attitude) that creates a quietness of spirit in which God prefers to work. We need not create the discouraging words that become common to many. What a privilege – to inspirit ourselves and other persons during our days. When we do, we do some of what God does in the gift of Helps. Why underestimate the gift of Helps, a gift most needed? It comes to us in spiritual practicality. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020