August 07, 2012
by Colleen Swindoll Thompson
When I read this, I thought of you and all of us who care for loved ones in need.
An Advocate
by Charles R. Swindoll
Job is portrayed as “blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1) . . . and yet the bottom drops out of his world. He loses everything except his life and his wife.
The man’s misery knew no bounds.
Finally . . . there was no place to look but up; however, even then he felt shut out. He longed to approach God and pour out his woes, but the heavens were brass. Nothing. But. Silence.
What did Job need? An advocate . . . someone who could stand in his stead and represent him. The broken man wished for someone who would understand his predicament, take up his cause, and argue his case. Because he had no advocate, he felt hopeless and helpless, defenseless and depressed.
Victims need advocates. Often, those who are objects of abuse lack the courage or the ability to protect themselves. How important it is for others to come alongside and be their mouthpiece—to actually speak for them!
An advocate is someone who has authority—someone who will be heard and respected, where we would be ignored. The more passionate and complicated the issue, the more vital our need for a qualified go-between. Someone to carry our torch. Someone who understands the issues and is able to articulate the salient points of the argument.
Do you know someone who needs an advocate? Are you willing to step into that role?
A Note from Colleen: Caring for a dependent or disabled loved one means you are already an advocate. You determine what’s best, your love knows no bounds, and you’re there when that person needs someone to stand up for his or her needs. It’s a very tough responsibility, but it’s a necessary act of love.
I want you to know that I want to be an advocate for you! I care about you; I desire to encourage and empower you to be wise, to be steadfast, to be responsible, and to press through difficulties with respect for yourself and others.
Let’s press on together with grace and truth!