The Power of *We*
The mission of The Sage Forum is to encourage, equip, and empower women over 40 to mature in faith and grow in wisdom. We send out a newsletter at the beginning of each month focusing on a different theme relevant to women in the second half of life. In February, we’ll be talking about books that have inspired, frustrated, shaped, and delighted us. We’re looking forward to hearing from you on this topic.
Today’s Sage Forum Extra! is a short mid-month reflection meant to offer you a word of encouragement. Today’s Extra! is penned by Sage Forum contributor Afton Rorvik.
I like order. I like lists. I like knowing what tomorrow holds.
Many years ago when the company I worked for merged with another company, I flailed. How I disliked the uncertainty of waiting for someone else to make decisions about my job, my life. I knew in my head that I could find another part-time job. But I knew this job, these people . . .
During that time I discovered an Old Testament story that has since become my go-to story when life throws me a challenge beyond my control. This story, found in 2 Chronicles 20, features Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
When Jehoshaphat heard the troubling news, he did feel alarmed, and yet he did not wallow in panic or fear. Instead, he gathered the people together to fast and pray,
“LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you . . .Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:2-4, 6, 12 NIV)
I did eventually lose that fabulous part-time job and went on to face a lot of other life challenges. I returned often to the story of Jehoshaphat.
Just weeks ago I found myself reading the story again as I worked my way through a plan of reading through the Bible. I lingered in this remarkable story for a few weeks, reading it over and over and remembering how I had clung to it in that uncertain time decades ago.
When I first discovered this story of Jehoshaphat, I focused on him—the main character. I marveled at his faith, determination, leadership qualities, and heart. Oh, I wanted to live like Jehoshaphat in deep trust of an Almighty God.
In that early reading of the story, however, I completely glossed over one powerful, little word: we. In my current reading that word almost leapt off the page, trying to capture my attention.
We.
In the intervening decades between losing that part-time job and growing into middle age, I slowly began to understand the strength of approaching challenging situations in community.
Instead of hunkering down in my living room, alone with my Bible and worship music, I now understand the value of making a phone call or sending an email to a praying friend, or starting a text chain to a Bible study group or praying college friends.
We.
These wise voices, remind me that God sees and hears and answers prayers in his own wise way and time. These wise voices calm me down when I start to spin webs of control. These wise voices help me take a step back and try to see the bigger picture—God’s picture. These wise voices remind me that I have help, flesh-and-blood help on this journey.
How grateful I feel for God’s patient teaching and long-suffering love over decades of thrashing as I, tried so hard to find a way to keep order in my life, to control situations and people. Now, finally, I see, truly see, the power of we. If only I can keep remembering how to live as we . . .
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven—Thank you for calling us to live as we, knowing that we function best this way. Open our eyes to see how we can reach for others and grow together in our love for you. Remind us always of the power of we.
Reflect: Who is currently part of your we team? Are there people at the margins of your life, your neighborhood, or your church whose voices you might need to cultivate and include?
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So true, Afton. As I’ve grown in age and maturity, I realize the benefit - necessity - of living with a WE mindset. Thank you for reminding me!
Really good word highlight here Afton. Like you, I often turn to this passage from 2 Chronicles. It is so good as it grounds me firmly in my true condition of utter dependency on our God who can do more for me in a moment than I could do in a lifetime. Paradoxically - this stance of deep dependency is one that is feeling ever more spacious and freeing to my soul.