The Least of These

And as much as you've done it to the least of these my brethren, you've done it unto Me.

        Matthew 25

Recently we were in youth service discussing the story of the good Samaritan. Grant brought up an interesting point. Here you had a priest and a Levite, two people who were studied and trained in the law. When they saw the man half-dead on the side of the road, what did they do? They defied the essence of the very law that they professed to revere. It wasn't so much their lack of compassion that is shocking as it is their blatant hypocrisy. The law could all be summed up in 2 statements, love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. But these two very religious men, when they saw their neighbor in need, kept right on walking.

I wonder, how often do we do the same thing, especially those of us in full-time ministry We can become so caught up in the religiosity of our service that we forget what pure and undefiled religion before the God the Father is: to visit the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep one's self unspotted from the world. We put ministry in a box, giving it a window in which it is allowed to be performed. But once "ministry time" is over, that's it! We're free. In doing so, we miss out on so many of the blessings that cannot exist in formal ministry time. When ministry becomes about activity instead of people, the purpose of ministry is lost.

Recently, I was grading some of the books we use for school outreach. This kid came over, his name is Godfrey. He has some kind of mental disability; people say he's deaf but I don't think that's quite his problem. He sat next to me and wanted to help. I rolled my eyes. Really, grading books is not my idea of a good time and I would much rather do it quickly and get it over with. Having this kid help me would only slow the process down. Lucky for me, I'm a total push-over and he has a great pout-y face. I gave him my red pen and page by page, we graded the books together. It took twice as long as it probably would have had I done it myself. But hearing his laugh and seeing his smile, and giving him the one-on-one attention that he needs, was worth the extra time.

There are so many times that I have been a priest or a Levite, unwilling to obey the spirit of the law, but this time God managed to get me where I needed to be. And I'm so thankful. My lesson: don't put ministry in a box. It's not necessarily about getting things done; it's about people. Give of your time and energy to benefit people as opposed to projects. Next time you the Lord puts a Godfrey in your path, don't roll your eyes. Take some time to spend with him. Jesus said that if you give one of these little ones a cup of cold water in His name, you will by no means lose your reward. That time isn't wasted; it's invested in eternity.

Decisions, Decisions

It can be very easy to be loyal to a person or a cause when everything is going well. We have an incredible capacity to look at things through rose colored lenses, in the romantic light of emotion or the adrenaline rush of the moment. But things very rarely continue in that way. And when the tint has rubbed off your lenses, or when the emotions are gone or when the adrenaline has died down, what then? Loyalty is tested during adversity and opposition. It is easy to stand by someone when the sun is shining and a cool breeze is blowing. If the audience is positive, support the show by all means. But what about when that person's cause necessitates them to stand out in the pouring rain? What about when thunder shakes the ground and lightening flashes across the sky? What about when the crowd throws stones instead of roses?

I can remember my emotions after an unfortunate event last November. Not to be all political or anything but hey, this is my blog! :) I love my country. I love what she stands for (or stood for), for the rich, godly heritage she possesses, for the bravery of men and women who have laid down their lives to protect the freedoms that she offered to hard working, honest people. Yes, I love my country. That said, I fear my government. And in recent years, long before President Obama, the American government has gotten out of hand. We have representatives who represent themselves instead of the people, an activist judiciary system, politicians who are bought out right and left. . .I could go on. I would never incite a rebellion, but I have always said that if a just rebellion began, I would not hesitate to take up arms and to fight in it. That's what I said. Then November came. I was crushed, physically, mentally, spiritually. At that point I truly believed that there was going to be a revolution. For the first time, I was faced with the possibility of having to eat my words. What if something did happen? How loyal to my principles and my word would I be then? Was I really willing to fight for my liberty and constitution? Was I ready to defend them in order to preserve them for future generations? Would I really rather die fighting to be free than live under the tyranny of another? So far, that hasn't been tested yet. But I'm pretty sure my answer is "yes."

I look forward into the future. One day, I may have this same question facing me in a relationship. I'm sure it will be easy to stand by my husband when life together is new and fresh and we're still "in love." But what about when it's been a few years and things aren't quite as new and fresh as they once were? What about when God is calling him down a road that I don't particularly want to go on? What about when his vision pushes me out of my comfort zone? What about when he's outright wrong and has a lousy attitude? How will my vows and commitment hold up when my pride is hurt or when I disagree? Will I be able to stand by the man that God has given me then? I pray that He gives me the strength and the humility in that moment to say emphatically, "yes."

But such things must be practiced. God gives us small portions. He will not entrust us with a kingdom if we cannot first rule our own house.

So here's the scenario: I have always told the Lord that I would go wherever He sends me. But what if He sends me somewhere wholly different than I was expecting? Would I be willing to truly leave my life in His hands, not only my heart but my physical being also? Will I continue to follow Him even if the risk is high? He has given me the strength to say "yes" in this moment. I believe that He will give me the strength for future moments and the wisdom for future decisions.

Jesus, today I confess to You all of my presuppositions about life, my plans and my misgivings. I lay them before the cross and repent of holding onto rights that never really belonged to me in the first place. You are sovereign, Lord. In light of who You are and all You've done in my life, I choose, in this moment to surrender to You. My only desire is to be used of You. Have Your will and Your way in my life, Lord. Do what You want in me and through me. Wherever You send me, God, I will go.

Shape me into a vessel of honor that is fit for Your service, pouring out only what has been poured in. Thank You for being willing to take broken, weak vessels like me and reshape and remake me into something useful. It truly is a work of transformation.


"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24