Who Visits The Preacher In The Hospital?

Recently, a retired preacher visited our services here in San Marcos.  He has been preaching for at least 50, if not 60, years.  His wife was telling me about his more recent health issues and his time spent in the hospital.  She also confided in me that during his stay in the hospital there were very few visitors who came to see him.  This was a man who tirelessly visited the hospitals and shut-ins during his time in and after local work.  Yet, not even the local preacher came to visit this preacher.  The one who had visited so many received, in essence, no visitors.

That conversation got me to thinking.  Who visits the preacher in the hospital?  Who checks on the one who usually checks on others?  Other questions are just as needed.  Who gives the elders guidance when they are not sure what decision to make?  Who gives Dad direction when he is besieged with problems in the family?  Who looks after Mom when she needs nurturing?  Who encourages the encourager when he is down?  Who instructs the wise man when he has lost his way?

It is possible that we get so defined in our usual roles that we never reach out beyond them.  I suggest that we remember that fellowship in Christ is not a rank and file system, but a community of believers who share the same joys, weakness, and pains.  Sadly, I have seen situations develop in the church where the one who needs the most help and encouragement is often left to himself.  Why?  This happens because the one hurting just happens to be the preacher, or the elder, or the longtime member who is just not supposed to be in that situation.  Galatians 6:2 should penetrate and encompass every role and relationship among God’s people.  Everyone needs encouragement and everyone can offer encouragement to another.

- Wayne Jones

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