Ablaze for God - Day 16 Devotional

“Everyone Accountable for Someone”
Submitted by Linda Gerich
Key text: Genesis 4

I remember as a young girl in middle school choir, learning the song, “No man is an island, No man stands alone….Each man’s joy is joy to me, Each man’s grief is my own….”

God has created us to feel a connection, one to another. Even before birth, each one of us depended on our mother taking care of herself physically – eating the right foods, taking her prenatal vitamins, and visiting her doctor regularly. Think of how we grew up, depending on our parents for practically everything. We depended on our siblings and friends for our social and emotional development. Teachers, neighbors, our church and community – all have had a part in shaping us and fulfilling basic needs that we have.

It is humbling to think that, not only do I need others, but others need me! And, I am thankful to have people in my life who not only share my joys and sorrows, but would lovingly rebuke me if I was living in sinful disobedience to God.

In Genesis 4, Cain allowed his jealous anger to degenerate into outright murder. After he killed his brother, Abel, the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother, Abel?” Cain replied, “I don’t know! Am I my brother’s keeper?” The Lord saw fit to punish Cain severely for this attitude and behavior.

Whenever the needs of others seem overwhelming, remember this: We can’t do everything, but we can all do something! Whether it’s just being there for a friend who has lost a loved one, or praying for people overseas, we can all use our connections with other people to be Jesus’ hands and feet.

God meant for us to be in community with others. We do need each other. Am I my brother’s keeper? YES!