The Power of Showing Up

A light bulb flashed on inside my mind as we said goodbye.

A few hours earlier, another American and I had driven across town to accompany our Italian brother as he met again with his lawyer. As I sat in the lawyer's office, listening long to the men discuss their application for official recognition of the Churches of Christ in Italy, I felt unneeded. Italy has granted formal recognition to some non-Catholic religious groups, but has yet to give it to Churches of Christ. The dialogue has been going on for years. I added little to the conversation. I was just there.

But after the meeting, our Italian brother said to us, "Thank you for coming. It is a great encouragement to me." His comment touched me. I realized then that I had indeed helped.

In a land where the total evangelical Christian population is only about one half of one percent, our Italian brothers and sisters feel very alone. They struggle against a culture contrary to their beliefs and values. We Americans cannot speak their language like they do. We will never understand their culture, politics or mentality as they can. But one thing we can do. We can stand beside them so they will know they are not alone.

"Eighty percent of success is showing up," Woody Allen said. That is true in friendship and ministry. When your brother or sister is in need, you don't need to solve the problem or give advice. Just be there. Let them know you care. There is power in that. Job's friends did well when they showed up, sat with him and said nothing. Too bad they couldn't keep quiet.

Job's Friends

Last week our Avanti Italia group visited a small, struggling congregation in Vicenza, Italy, where Jennifer grew up. One woman who, with her husband, has given many years to that church wept as she told Jennifer how discouraged they are.

Someone in our group later asked, "Why did we go?"
"Just our being there encouraged them," we said, and we all realized that was true.

Years ago I heard a respected Bible scholar say, "You know, when I go to church I do not always learn something new or go away uplifted. But each time I go I am putting in my vote. I want people to know I am in favor of what's going on."

Notice how our word, "present," can (with various pronunciations) mean "to give something;" or the thing given; or "to appear;" or a moment in time between the past and the future. We can present no better present to the people we love than to be present with them in the present.

This week, don't judge your activities only by how you feel or by what you get from them. Judge also by what they say about your priorities and how your presence encourages others. Put your vote in. Your children and others are watching. And your vote counts more than you think.

Gary and Jennifer Williams
Florence Bible School
Italy