I’m the point person for the visitation team at my church. This means that I visit people in the hospital, at their homes, and in hospice. I also solicit volunteers to go out and visit others and provide encouragement, spiritual conversations, and prayer. Being ill can be a lonely path for many—especially the elderly. Yet younger people can also contract serious illnesses and experience difficulties.
When I visit people in their most vulnerable moments, most often when they’re sick, I feel as if I’m in a thin place. “Thin place” is a Celtic Christian concept, as author Amy Julia Becker explains. “The Celts believed that physical locations existed in which God’s presence was more accessible than elsewhere, places where heaven and earth seemed to touch, where the line between holy and human met for a moment.”
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us that when we visit and care for the sick, we’re also visiting Him: “When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ ” (Matthew 25:39-40). He goes on to say that when we refused to help “the least of these” we are choosing not to “help [Him]” (Matthew 25:45).
None of us should suffer alone. God has placed within us a desire to care for others and to be ministered to by them. Even Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, needed friends to keep Him company on the darkest night of His life (Matthew 26:36-46).
As you spend time with those who are sick and hurting, remember that you are truly imitating Jesus as well as ministering to Him (Matthew 25:35-36). He provides what we need to reveal His compassionate heart.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 12:1-21
More:
Reflect on James 5:13-15 and why it’s vital for us to humble ourselves and seek the prayers and help of others when we’re in need.
Next:
What hurting person will you visit this week—extending the grace and love of Jesus? How have you experienced the love of Jesus through another person?
corgimom on August 5, 2016 at 5:44 am
Thank you, Marlena, for this great devotional! I particularly appreciate the thought that even Jesus needed support from his friends as he sweated drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yesterday my son-in-law was admitted to the hospital. My daughter, who doesn’t drive, asked if we could come get her and help her get her car home. I had much work to do and almost refused. But in the end I went, visited for a few minutes with my son-in-law and helped support my daughter. This devotional today really struck home as being reflective of that situation. Have a great day!
jimgroberts on August 5, 2016 at 6:12 am
A very important point. We must adapt our personal priorities to the priorities the spirit inspires.
As Jesus we should go the extra mile and it should be His timing and not our convenience.
Marlena Graves on August 5, 2016 at 10:02 am
Thank you for sharing this story. It reminds me that being Jesus is seldom convenient. I hope your son-in-law recovers soon.
jimgroberts on August 5, 2016 at 6:06 am
Various times we see portrayals of divine appointments moments, when God is present on earth.
One particular moment was Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well.
Jesus led by the Holy Spirit was at a place and at a particular moment so that revelation could be brought by the words the Father gave Him.
The same with Philip who was inspired to meet a Eunuch at a particular place and time.
So we see that it is not the place that is special or the time special.
It is the combination of time and place where the anointing is.
That is why the disciples were told by Jesus to be in Jerusalem at a particular place and a particular and unknown time and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, A DIVINE APPOINTMENT.
Marlena Graves on August 5, 2016 at 10:00 am
I think you have wonderful points here.
Gary Shultz on August 5, 2016 at 6:18 am
Congratulations Marlena, “for such a time as this” you have become a help to those in need. Thank you for your example and if I could be so bold to thank you on behalf of those you have, are, and will visit. God has been very good to me and I have not had that need often, but it would be a great service to the body of believers. I think I would like to do something like that when traveling and the end of work come. Some of our readers are in need of prayer, and what a gift we can give because God’s riches and great mercy. Thanks Marlena
Marlena Graves on August 5, 2016 at 9:55 am
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. May you be able to do that!
crossman61 on August 5, 2016 at 7:59 am
I also commend you Marlena , keep up the good work , and Thank you for the reminder we should be doing this as well . It seems lately the past 3 years I have been visiting friends and some family members in the hospitals or in hospice care . The older I get the more I see death all around me . I do have to get better at visiting those I do not know that are in there last days . And I have been feeling that nudge even for prison Ministry . May we all enjoy this day the Lord has given to us again . Gary
Marlena Graves on August 5, 2016 at 9:56 am
I am with you, I see death all around. I think it helps put life in perspective and help me appreciate my family and others and the short life I have.
gagirllive on August 5, 2016 at 8:10 am
Good to read something from you again, Marlena. It’s been a while and I’ve missed you. Interesting concept about the “thin place”. I’m not sure that I fully understand what the Celts believed about that, but I can see how certain things can line up in a person’s life that provide a greater opportunity for them to be responsive to God. I think sickness, suffering, and hardships of various kinds can be a time for such to happen—when things are divinely aligned for God’s purposes. The Holy Spirit can use the vulnerability of those circumstances to create a “thin place” in an otherwise thick and perhaps calloused heart. This is the place where they may hear God best. Visiting, loving, caring, and sharing with people when they feel most needy is definitely an open door to be Jesus to them. I have discovered that these “open doors” and “thin places” are all around me as I take the time to listen and engage with people. It’s truly wonderful to partner with where God is working in people’s lives and to know that as we love and serve others, we are actually loving and serving Christ Himself. Great devotional for us today, Marlena. Thank you. A blessed weekend to everyone!
Marlena Graves on August 5, 2016 at 9:59 am
It seems to me that you do understand thin places metaphorically and also concretely! And thank you for your encouraging words. I trust that even when I am not the point person that I’ll continue in this way. Jesus calls us to be his representatives to all, wherever we are. Thank you for sharing your encouraging-to-us reflection.
youssef1777 on August 5, 2016 at 8:56 am
OUR LORD LOVE US . HE IS VERY GOOD IN GIVING US ALL GOOD THINGS . WE SHOULD SHOW LOVE AND CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE . GOD BLESS ALL .
Marlena Graves on August 5, 2016 at 9:59 am
Amen.
sandy229 on August 5, 2016 at 10:00 am
Thank you Marlena for your words today!! I always enjoy reading your words. This reminds me that when I was in the hospital, the people that came to see me made me feel so much better than just being stuck there by myself. They really showed me God’s love just by coming to see me when I felt so bad and even though I slept a lot, they didn’t get upset or leave, they just waited for me. It’s love like this that really shows God’s love that they would take time out of their day to visit me and let me know that everyone in the church was praying for me and asking about me. I am so thankful to have them in my life.
Marlena Graves on August 9, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Thank you, Sandy. Knowing that we are not forgotten makes a world of difference.
godlove on August 5, 2016 at 12:50 pm
The importance of showing warmth and care to someone in need can never be underestimated. I always try make it a duty to pray for those I know who are facing difficult situations but Jesus says that more than prayers, we have to take up the responsibility to go further and help them physically as well, using the means He has given us. James 2:15-16 even tells us that this is how we show our very faith, “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” We show our faith in Jesus by sharing His love and care with one another. How amazing that our Lord shows us such “thin places” where we can meet Him and receive empowerment from Him to serve. Thanks for this great reminder, Marlena, I admit have been a bit deficient in this aspect but I know I can (and I really should) be doing a lot more. Blessed weekend to all.
Marlena Graves on August 9, 2016 at 9:12 pm
The importance of showing warmth and care to someone in need can never be underestimated. – agree 100%. Thank you godlove