…concerning the welfare of our brothers, of course. ‘Thought I’d share the Scriptures that I’ve been meditating on yesterday and today:
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3: 16 – 18
and
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13
With all of the legitimate cries for help these days (sponsor children! build homes! fund clinics! feed mouths! educate single mothers! and on and on), it’s hard to discern the ways that I am to help, specifically. When the fliers, commercials, and email forwards don’t end, I can start to feel down right crumby – inadequate to participate in the needs of countless people all over the globe. I often pray, “God, I think I’m about all used up just loving the handful of tangible people in my life – let alone people groups miles away. But You know my heart is just to do what you want…”
‘Seems like John had a vision of my life when he wrote a personal prayer, “…if my heart condemns me, you are greater than my heart and you know all things.” How fabulous that God cuts through the web of my self-condemnation and points me in the right direction because He knows my heart better than I do.
So, for now, God has given me a great deal of peace from these two Scriptures to focus on loving…
* the needy brother who I actually see with my eyes
* the poor who I actually hear with my ears
If I keep my heart open, I bet this’ll keep me busy. (Actually, I hear someone already… Lia’s awake! Gotta go!)
Father, open our hearts and open our ears so that we can see the needs you intend for us to meet and hear the cries you intend for us to answer.
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