In our lives, it can sometimes be difficult to recognize the work of God in our life, and the ways that He is affecting us, as it is often disguised. One of those ways is through the help of others. We may see it as simply being helped by another human being, but we must always remember that it is God working through that person (in the same way that He works through us). CS Lewis writes:
"If there were no help from Christ, there would be no help from other human beings. He works on us in all sorts of ways, not only through what we think our 'religious life.'" (190)
Another thing that is clear to me from reading this is that we need to seek the advice and friendship of others, especially those that are like-minded in the faith. This is essential for a healthy faith.
It seems to me as if many people see faith and religion as a very personal, private thing. On the one hand, this is quite right. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a personal devotion, than you don't really have a faith. An aspect of faith is very personal, there is no doubt about that.
On the other hand, this way of thinking is very wrong indeed. If Christ is present in all of us (and I believe He is, and He told us as much), then the last thing we should do is thing of religion as a private, personal thing. We have much to learn from others, we have much to share, much to live. We can be helped by others in our faith journey, and certainly we have the power to help others in theirs.
Turning to others for help and support is still turning to God for help and support, because God puts those types of people in our lives for this very reason. Never think that turning toward a friend is turning your back on God, indeed, it is quite the opposite.
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