The Gift of Presence
October 20, 2015
Job 2:11-13 – When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
I have just finished reading the book of Job in my annual Bible reading. I was struck by the compassion of his friends when they heard about his suffering. The scriptures tell us that his friends came to him, and they wept with him. They sat with him for seven days in silence. Their presence was really all that Job needed. It wasn’t until they began speaking and trying to explain why these things had happened to Job that they got into trouble. His friends became his accusers, and at the end of the book it is Job’s prayers that save them from God’s wrath (Job 42:7-9). So many times when we have friends that are suffering we keep away because we are not sure what to say. Often times when we do visit we speak in shallow clichés hoping something will bring comfort. The main thing that we need to do is simply to be present, to stand or sit with them during their difficult time, and even cry with them if necessary. Jesus shared a story about the final judgment and how God will separate the people like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The criteria to be used for those who have been found pleasing to God include being sick or imprisoned and being visited. It does not mention that wonderful words were spoken or great insights were given. Simply being present was enough (Matthew 25:31-40). Is there someone you need to visit? Someone who is suffering or hurting? Don’t worry about what to say, simply offer the gift of your presence and it will be enough.
– Dr. Neil Epler, Congregational Care Minister
I have just finished reading the book of Job in my annual Bible reading. I was struck by the compassion of his friends when they heard about his suffering. The scriptures tell us that his friends came to him, and they wept with him. They sat with him for seven days in silence. Their presence was really all that Job needed. It wasn’t until they began speaking and trying to explain why these things had happened to Job that they got into trouble. His friends became his accusers, and at the end of the book it is Job’s prayers that save them from God’s wrath (Job 42:7-9). So many times when we have friends that are suffering we keep away because we are not sure what to say. Often times when we do visit we speak in shallow clichés hoping something will bring comfort. The main thing that we need to do is simply to be present, to stand or sit with them during their difficult time, and even cry with them if necessary. Jesus shared a story about the final judgment and how God will separate the people like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The criteria to be used for those who have been found pleasing to God include being sick or imprisoned and being visited. It does not mention that wonderful words were spoken or great insights were given. Simply being present was enough (Matthew 25:31-40). Is there someone you need to visit? Someone who is suffering or hurting? Don’t worry about what to say, simply offer the gift of your presence and it will be enough.
– Dr. Neil Epler, Congregational Care Minister