Did you notice the lady behind you at church? Her husband just left her for another woman, her children don't contact her any longer, she's just been diagnosed with leukemia and she's at church for the first time because a flyer in her postbox caught her eye. No, you didn't, because you were too afraid to step out of your 'safe zone', and all you wanted to do was to remain there.
Did you notice the sullen eyes of the young man sitting on the park bench? He just graduated two years ago, is still looking for a job, his parents have only condescending words to say to him and his girlfriend of 4 years just left him because she couldn't stand his defeated attitude towards life anymore. No, you didn't, because you were too afraid of the discomfort you would feel if he ends up rolling his eyes at you if you dared to genuinely ask him, "how's it going?"
Did you notice that woman with the crinkled brow that sat next to you on the bus? She's just had an abortion and is feeling low, very low about herself and is thinking about ways to end her own life. No, you didn't, because you were too tired and wanted some "me-time" during the 40-minutes.
Did you notice that young girl in the corner of the room in the social gathering you just attended? She's been to a series of mental health professionals that have over-medicated her and ripped her self-esteem to shreds by the words they've said. She normally doesn't get out much, but is so lonely that she thought she'll give it a try in the hope that she'll make a nice friend or two that would make her lonely journey a bit more bearable. No, you didn't, because you just wanted to stick to the friends you knew, and it would be way too awkward making small talk with this quiet stranger.
Did you pray today for the typhoon victims in Tacloban, Philippines, and for those who have lost loved ones? Every building in their city is damaged, dead bodies of people who once laughed, loved, lived in that city - are now lining a long trench or are still lying on the concrete pavements they once walked gaily on. No, you didn't, because you were "too busy", and had "more urgent" prayers to pray like for good weather so your clothes would dry or for your interview to go well.
In so many ways, I have not kept a keen eye for the needs of those around me. How can I be so selfish, ignorant, lazy and self-absorbed? As sung so honestly by the wealthy churchgoers in Disney's song, "God help the outcasts", I am so preoccupied with asking God to bless me and give me an easy life, that I fail to defend the poor and powerless, the lost and broken-hearted - in my prayers and in deed.
We Christians so badly need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the needs around us. Too many hungry and broken hearts are out there. The God who bound up and richly satisfied our very own broken and empty hearts wants us and invites us to love them with and through Him.
Did you notice the sullen eyes of the young man sitting on the park bench? He just graduated two years ago, is still looking for a job, his parents have only condescending words to say to him and his girlfriend of 4 years just left him because she couldn't stand his defeated attitude towards life anymore. No, you didn't, because you were too afraid of the discomfort you would feel if he ends up rolling his eyes at you if you dared to genuinely ask him, "how's it going?"
Did you notice that woman with the crinkled brow that sat next to you on the bus? She's just had an abortion and is feeling low, very low about herself and is thinking about ways to end her own life. No, you didn't, because you were too tired and wanted some "me-time" during the 40-minutes.
Did you notice that young girl in the corner of the room in the social gathering you just attended? She's been to a series of mental health professionals that have over-medicated her and ripped her self-esteem to shreds by the words they've said. She normally doesn't get out much, but is so lonely that she thought she'll give it a try in the hope that she'll make a nice friend or two that would make her lonely journey a bit more bearable. No, you didn't, because you just wanted to stick to the friends you knew, and it would be way too awkward making small talk with this quiet stranger.
Did you pray today for the typhoon victims in Tacloban, Philippines, and for those who have lost loved ones? Every building in their city is damaged, dead bodies of people who once laughed, loved, lived in that city - are now lining a long trench or are still lying on the concrete pavements they once walked gaily on. No, you didn't, because you were "too busy", and had "more urgent" prayers to pray like for good weather so your clothes would dry or for your interview to go well.
In so many ways, I have not kept a keen eye for the needs of those around me. How can I be so selfish, ignorant, lazy and self-absorbed? As sung so honestly by the wealthy churchgoers in Disney's song, "God help the outcasts", I am so preoccupied with asking God to bless me and give me an easy life, that I fail to defend the poor and powerless, the lost and broken-hearted - in my prayers and in deed.
We Christians so badly need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the needs around us. Too many hungry and broken hearts are out there. The God who bound up and richly satisfied our very own broken and empty hearts wants us and invites us to love them with and through Him.
"She is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me."
- Casting Crowns
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