Book Excerpt

“Surrounded by Love”

Everyone needs love, support, and warmth from caring family and friends. Love, however, is not a one-way street. To receive, we must give. That is the problem.

OUR PENGUIN FRIENDS DEMONSTRATE this two-way relationship. When the weather is especially frigid, the adults gather all of the young into a tight group. Then the mamas and the papas surround the children, feather-to-feather, providing shelter and warmth for the offspring. They, too, just like you and me, are warm-blooded. They must keep warm to survive. Their blubber helps. In addition, they have layers of down feathers, which they rub with oil from glands to make them waterproof and windproof. This helps but is insufficient to protect from severe winter storms.

The Creator, therefore, provided our feathered friends with another form of protection: the “huddle instinct”. When the weather is blustery, as many as five thousand penguins will cluster together – feather to feather – supporting the entire group. The young are placed in the center for double protection. Animal love cares, supports, and warms each other. Alone, none would survive. Praise the Lord for his perfect creation.

But what about His other warm-blooded creation? Are we any different? Can we stand alone, especially at the height of our personal storms? In times of sickness, death, depression, loneliness, joy, celebration, or other highs and lows in our lives, what do we crave? Human contact. Connection with others. Hugs. Listening ears. Love and warmth from friendship. We, too, must huddle around each other, but it takes two plus to create these connections of togetherness. We absolutely cannot be a Lone Ranger in life. We were made by God to fellowship, support, and care for one another.

The scriptures remind us of Moses during the battle between the Amalekites and the Israelites. While Joshua led the army in battle, Moses promised to hold up his arms. As long as his arms were extended, Joshua’s team continued winning. Hands down – they faced destruction. A problem arose, however, as Moses got tired. His arms would drop in fatigue. Then the solution, a team approach. Aaron and Hur sat Moses down on a rock and each help up an arm in support of Moses until sunset. The result was victory for the Israelites and for God (Exodus 17:8-16).

Paul admonishes us to “carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

The apostle John whispers a reminder: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

In Hebrews, we hear the words, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). I love the admonition to “encourage”.

Paul expressed his appreciative of his fellow workers, Priscella and Aquila, in his letter to the Romans: “They risked their lives for me. No only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Romans 16:3b-4).

When believers join hands, we grow in faith. We become a model for Christ, demonstrating HIs love and forgiveness. Christians in the early church “continually devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship” (Acts 2:42). They taught one another and had fellowship. Fellowship and worship certainly are not limited to a church building, but isolation from other believers robs one of the care, concern, and support human beings need. You need other Christians, and they need you.

The New York Post headline announced, “Millennials Are Choosing Pizza, Push-Ups, and Video Games over Church.” We who have white hair, weak knees, or weird wrinkles must wake up, reach out, and love these young folks. How are you personally caring and loving those especially turned off by organized religion? Take inventory. List two or three neighbors, friends, or crazy youth who might need comforting arms, listening ears, or an experienced example. Develop a community of friends and support each other.

Surround each other with love.