Gravedigger

     What do you do when a friend digs their own grave? What can you pray when someone's sins are about to turn their world completely upside down?  Most of us avoid these gravediggers; I think because we're afraid we'll get sucked into the pit with them.

     A man named Jeremiah faced such a situation a little less than 3,000 years ago. The Israelites sinned constantly until God couldn't take it anymore. "They've dug their own grave," He said in essence. "In fact, do not pray for them, Jeremiah" (Jeremiah 7:16). When someone's dug their own grave, what do we do?

Weep

     Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet because of his many tears for Israel. God basically told him there was no hope for his countrymen. Jeremiah prayed otherwise. He hurt for them. It's O.K. to hurt for those who have passed the point of no return. Instead of passing them off as collateral damage, go ahead and hold onto the high value you placed on friendship...and family. It is painful to hear about or watch a friend spiral down an endless rabbit hole. But your broken heart will lead to intercession.

Pray

     Jeremiah disobeyed the Lord; he prayed for his country even after God told him not to. He couldn't help it.  I will admit that sometimes I'm at a loss for how to pray for a friend who is about to hit rock bottom. Didn't they dig this grave? Didn't they do this to themselves?  Jeremiah, on the other hand, put himself in their shoes (Jeremiah 18:20) and spoke on their behalf to God.  Maybe God was just testing Jeremiah.  Either way, his love for his neighbors brought him to his knees.  

Stay

     The most damaging thing about sin is separation. The sinner is separated from God, and the "non-sinners" (even though there is no such person) avoids them like the plague. Stay with your hurting brother or sister as long as possible. You may be the only Jesus that shows true friendship by sticking around while everyone else threatens to throw stones. Jeremiah also stuck around sinful Israel after the threats of the Babylonians became reality. He stayed to hold hands, share meals, and weep some more.

     Everyone acts differently when they come across a gravedigger. Most people keep moving along as if nothing is happening. Others go the other extreme by grabbing a shovel and digging a deeper hole only to push them in. I think most gravediggers know their fate. They're just looking for someone who cares; someone who can spark hope and life.  

Gravediggers may be looking for someone to help them bury the hatchet.

     How will you respond when a gravedigger near you starts digging their own grave?