H-Hold Us Together-Matt Maher

H-Hold Us Together-Matt Maher

“And love will hold us together

Make us a shelter to weather the storm

And I'll be my brother's keeper

So the whole world would know that we're not alone”

The chorus of this song has been a great comfort to me in midst of the storms Jennifer and I have gone through over the past year. We went through doors been closed to work with a mission organization, possibly losing our son Joseph, then when he was born he was born early and in the hospital for three months. Love was truly what held us together as we whether those storms.

However, as friends and family came by side us in our darkest moments, I saw this song as something more. The love from friends and family was a blessing and a encouragement to us to keep moving forward as we weather the storm. It made me determined to be “my brother’s keeper, “ as they weather their own storms.

Several of these friends are from a couples small group we joined over a year ago. They have been truly been the church to us, showering us with love and support through prayers, meals, and gifts. We recently finished a three week series on mental health. We got closer to each other as we shared our struggles with mental health and a deeper bond as brothers and sisters in Christ was formed. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

Maher continues in the song to say:

“This is the first day of the rest of your life

This is the first day of the rest of your life

Cause even in the dark you can still see the light

It’s gonna be alright, It’s gonna be alright”

I believe when we, as the body of the Christ, are united to be our brother’s keeper not just to each other, but to our neighbors across the street and across the world, we can truly change lives.

Once our hearts and minds are awakened to this fact and move forward in action, it will be “the first day of the rest of your life”. A new mindset will develop as you are determined to be your brother’s keeper to the people God puts in your path.

What will it take for you today, to be your brother’s keeper and love those around you?

It may begin as Bob Goff says, by loving those who “creep you out”. Or it may mean by developing closer bonds with those God puts in your path.

You can be your brother’s keeper and help them weather storms they cannot face alone. As you become your brother’s keeper, you will show the world that they are not alone.

Jesus said that the world will know we are followers of Jesus if love one another ( John 13:35). Let’s take it a step further, by loving the world too.