Put Your Arm Around Me (6ft Edition)

2020, numbers that combined have made the craziest year of my life. I don’t think I need to give you a run down, I’m sure you’re well aware of it. I’m sure you’re also annoyed that Covid is still the only thing being talked about. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing about it. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing people complaining. I’m sure you’re tired of people saying this, “When we go back,” or “When life goes back...” I know I’m tired of hearing that. I’m also tired of being tired.

Covid is a sickness that has made the world stop and be aware of everything and everyone around them. We’ve lost loved ones. We’ve lost friends, opportunities and jobs. Some have even wondered if they will have the same career in the future. Will your job be needed? You went to college and spent all that money to end up being told that your abilities may not suit the future.

Now usually when there is a post talking about difficult situations, here’s what happens. The person writing or talking typically gives you 5 key pieces of advice on how to thrive during a struggle. How to make the most of your moments. They’ll tell you that they’ve learned five new languages. They’ll tell you how to travel, even in Covid. They’ll tell you how to make money at your house doing nothing. And finally, they’ll tell you if you want something, go out and get it. The problem I have with that is you can’t always listen to what’s on the internet. The people on the other side are running a business and their job is to sell to you, or to make money off of you. I don’t think that gets down to the core issue of 2020. Do we really need more advice?

If I were to ask you what has it been like to face yourself, what would you say? Have you seen things you didn’t know were still there? Have you noticed that looking in the mirror isn’t as glamorous when there’s no club to go out to at night? Have you even wanted to look in the mirror anymore, or has it just been pointless?

My phrase for 2020 has been “what’s the point.” Why do I need to get dressed up? I’m just at home. Why do I need a haircut, it’s not like I’m going out to see anyone. That’s definitely not me. Anyone who knows me knows that dressing nice and getting a fade every two weeks is a major key to being Jordan Ball. I don’t like to get ready when some opportunity comes, I like to live ready no matter what. But enough about me, this is about you.

We as human beings want answers, and we want them now. And we can get answers whenever we want. Just ask Siri. No, really. Just say “Hey Siri,” and bam, you have an answer. But 2020 seems to have no answers. It has no solutions. Every time the government comes in and says to do this or that, or the CDC recommends something, they seem to go back on their word and change their mind. Why? Because none of us have the answers.

Jesus walks up on a scene where two sisters just lost their only brother. Jesus is potentially best friends with the family. As he approaches, he is met by one sister at a time. They both make the same statement to him. “Jesus if you had been here, he wouldn’t have died.” Jesus in their eyes seemed to show up to the hospital too late. He seemed to show up to the funeral, instead of the bedside. If He would have only shown up when they wanted Him to, none of this would have happened. Have you ever asked that question or made that statement? If God had only done xyz, you’d be farther along in life.

We ask this question, why did this have to happen? Why weren’t You here? Our brain goes practical and logical, while our soul breaks piece by piece. And what does Jesus do in this scene? Glad you asked. Two times the Bible says that He was deeply moved, and then He wept. This isn’t just a couple of tears, this is like a mother who has to bury her baby boy who just died from being sick. He’s crying that much. Who knows how long He was crying. When I went to my friend’s funeral, I had never seen a mother cry that much in my life. She put her arms around the casket as if she was hugging him again. She just wanted to hold her baby again. And whether you realize it or not, the brother of Mary and Martha wasn’t just a good friend. That was Jesus' child. Jesus created him. He created Mary, and He created Martha. So this is a father at his own child’s funeral.

But notice Jesus' response to the sisters. They want answers, and Jesus gives tears and emotions. He cries with them. Let me ask you this. During covid have you needed more sermons, more podcasts, or more motivational speeches, or even more zoom calls (no to the zoom)? Or have you just needed someone to be there with you? The thing you’re missing most is not more words spoken into you, it’s someone who says “I won’t leave, and I’ll be here for you.” To be honest, I don’t remember 99% of the sermons I’ve listened to, or podcasts I’ve listened to. And I’ve listened to a lot. But I do remember having someone by my side when I lost my best friend. I do remember my pastor calling me just to stay on the phone with me, and letting me ask every question under the sun. Then showing up to church and getting a hug from him, even though he’s like me, not a hugger. I do remember having someone there for me during a bad break up. I don’t remember the advice, I just remember someone being there.

Your soul in times of need doesn’t need a speech. It needs a person to bring comfort and just be there with you through your pain. Jesus wept. God, who knows everything, enters time and space, and He doesn’t give answers or tell them to get it together. He cries with them. I don’t know about you, but in my time of need answers won’t change me, advice won’t change me, but someone putting their arm around me or calling me to just be there will. Your soul doesn't need more advice, it needs more comfort.

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by Jordan Ball

Jordan is a young adults pastor with Free Chapel in Atlanta, GA. He is generally an all around cool guy, and can be found on the Instagram @therealjordanball.