By Jessica Brodie

There’s a quote I see going around on social media, and the gist is that real, godly women don’t push each other down but rather pull each other up. We all rise together. It’s a breath of fresh air for me, considering how competitive our world—and sometimes, women in general—can be, and the point is that knocking someone over doesn’t mean you get to win. (And frankly, if I “won” after knocking someone else down, how good would that win feel? For me, not so good.)

Of course, this doesn’t only apply to women. It applies to all people.

I remember when I was starting out in my career as a journalist. At the time I was working for a small weekly community newspaper in the mountains of North Carolina, and journalists had to do a lot more than just write. We also had to take pictures, edit, do layout, and all sorts of other things.

I was OK with the writing part, but I knew very little about newspaper layout. Thankfully, my friend Melody, from a neighboring paper under the same publishing company, let me sit beside her as she would do layout. Melody had a great eye for design, in addition to being an amazing writer, and she was a good teacher. She showed me all sorts of things that helped me, from shortcuts to basic design theory. Jay, on the production end of the newspaper, taught me how to adjust my photo settings and other helpful tips, really boosting my ability to grow. Phil mentored me in writing, and I learned a lot from Patrick and Mike about publishing, ad sales, community relationships, and ethics.

Had they not shared their knowledge, not only would I not have been an asset to them as an employee or colleague, but I wouldn’t be half the journalist I am today. Today I run a religious newspaper has strong influence in my denomination, and it wouldn’t be as good as it is—I wouldn’t be as skilled at what I do—had I not learned from them.

It doesn’t just stop there. I also felt obligated to pass on what I knew, which I’ve always tried very hard to do. We’re compelled—morally, ethically—to teach others who come after us, whether interns, employees, or colleagues, how to do what we do, the lessons we’ve learned, the shortcuts we know. If we keep that to ourselves, hoarding all that information and skill and insight, how will anyone grow? Maybe we’ll look like a rockstar, but who else will benefit? Is that fair for the whole if one person keeps it all to themselves? Does that help the greater good? Does that help God’s kingdom?

It’s not just work, but everything in life.

What does it hurt, as a woman, to tell another woman she’s beautiful? To invite someone else to the table? To share some of the power or admiration? To share some of the harvest? To give a little from our abundance? It takes nothing from ourselves, but it blesses someone else—and ultimately, it blesses the whole.

My friends, look around you. Who is behind you, or next to you, needing a hand up? Who might need a push forward? Who needs to be nudged to the table, helped into the club, welcomed, invited?

Turn around and pull someone behind you up with you. We all rise together.

What does this look like? Maybe it’s giving some money to a friend or stranger who could use a little help. Maybe it’s sharing someone’s ask or idea on social media. Maybe it’s including someone you don’t know very well in your established group.

As the apostle Paul reminds us:

“God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-27 NIV).

We’re all part of God’s beautiful and glorious Kingdom … together.

A prayer: Lord, help me to look around and see who I might be able to help, whatever that looks like. Help my eyes to be like your eyes, seeing an opportunity for light in the dim world surrounding me. And always, help me to love like you. Amen.

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