Written 10-13-2011
Imagine the scene. Its night, dark. You’re in an unknown place trying to catch the bus. Up walks a young child, dirty, filthy, his hand is out to you and all you hear is “200” because you don’t speak the language. You realize he wants money and you’re annoyed. You just want to catch the bus. Its late, you’re tired and hungry. The child follows you with his hand out saying “200”. So, what do you do? Do you walk on? Do you ignore the child? Do you give him what he wants? What do you do?
Imagine the scene. You are walking the street with friends. You see several people sitting on the sidewalk or leaning up against the wall. Their crutches are laid beside them. You recognize they are crippled. Some are missing limbs. Others have swollen legs or arms which you recognize as Elephantitis. Their hands are out stretched asking for any hand out they can get. What do you do? Do you walk on by? Do you stop and pray for them? Pray that God regrows their limbs or heals their body? Do you give them money and keep walking? What do you do?
Imagine this scene. You’re in your car. You pull up to a stop light and look over. There you see her, see him. They are dirty, their clothes are torn, their hair is a mess. You can tell they haven’t shaved in weeks if not months. Maybe they have some bags with them, maybe a dog, or a small child. Maybe if lucky enough they have water or food. They hold a cardboard sign saying, “No job. Need to feed family.” Or how about “homeless Vet. Need food”. Ring a bell?
What do you do?
Me, I just pass by. I’m not proud of that but that’s exactly what I have done all my life. I was raised not to give money to strangers or “pan-handlers” because they will probably go buy drugs or alcohol with it. If anything you can go buy them something to eat. At least that was how I was taught…until now.
“If I speak in the tongues of me and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not loved, I AM NOTHING. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I GAIN NOTHING.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”- 1 Corinthians 13
Well, I definitely failed! I was not patient or kind when I passed that young boy or those people who were crippled the other day on the streets of Rwanda. I was too proud to humble myself to give that young boy money. I was too proud to humble myself and stop and pray for those people. I was self-seeking as I was fearful of what might happen if I did stop and pray, I mean it was dark after all. Who knows maybe they would have hurt me. I was definitely angry and annoyed at that young boy. Did I protect them? Did I trust them? No, I failed them. I failed God!
What am I doing here if it isn’t to love? Do I even love in my everyday life?
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” -Matthew 22:36-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” -Matthew 5:43-44
Are you loving like God has called us to love? I know I wasn’t but now, I’m more conscious of it than anything. Do you love those who gossip about you? Do you love those who have wronged you? Do you love those who are different than you? Do you love those who are crippled, poor, rich, rude, sick, orphaned, widowed, in prison? Even if you don’t know them, do you love them?
“Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” – 1 Corinthians 10:24
Are you looking out for others or are you more worried about saving money for your vacation, your dream house, dream car, retirement?
Are you loving?
