I'm not sure what it is about that magical moment when there's a fish on the line or in your dipnet, and you're struggling, that makes the best of humanity come out in others. At least in my experience, without fail, other fishermen will drop their own rods and nets and come running to help you haul in the big one.

Why? Why would someone do that? They say there's plenty of fish in the sea, but we all know that isn't always true. What is it about this moment of struggle that sends people running to help, knowing they'll receive nothing in return?

I'm thankful for this tendency in humanity, as it's saved my bacon more than once. But unfortunately, I don't think it always applies when our brothers or sisters struggle in other ways around us. The tangibles, sure - a car stuck in a snowbank, a broken four-wheeler on the trail, a particularly hefty sockeye...In these moments, we jump at the chance to throw our energy into helping others, even though we know we won't get anything out of it. But what about with the messier stuff? The friend who is struggling with addiction, the coworker who occasionally drops comments about being depressed, that friend whose marriage is getting really, really complicated...Do you jump at the chance to enter into these struggles? Certainly more than fishing, these struggles are worth grabbing on, helping them pursue the blessing on the other side.

Romans 14 is all about entering into the struggle with our brothers and sisters in Christ, when it feels far easier to prioritize our own liberty. Take a moment this morning to ask God to open your heart to someone struggling today. Ask for his eyes to see them, not just through the lens of their struggle or what it's going to cost you, but with the blessing in mind that's on the other side, even if it's just for them and there's nothing for you to gain. Like the sweet satisfaction of that fish hauled in, even when it's not going in your freezer, ask God to give you his eyes to see the struggle and move toward the one he puts on your heart today.