I am participating in a Life on Life group (basically an intense Bible Study that is to help you grow deeper in your faith and prepare you to share that with others) and the last few weeks we have been talking about the local church. This morning I read this passage and have been stewing on it all day:
"“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
I guess the question that I have is how to know if something/someone is "legit"? And yes, I know that shouldn't necessarily be an issue but as a single female who does a lot of driving alone I don't know that it's necessarily safe for me to just roll my window down and have a nice little chat while sitting at a stoplight. About a week ago (when I was in the midst of misery from being sick) I left work (school) and headed home. I was about a block from school sitting at a VERY long light and I watched this lady (couldn't even begin to guess her age) try to get people to roll down their windows. I had a feeling she wanted cash (we were near the gas station) and I honestly didn't have any but as she came closer I heard her say, "Ma'am". All I could do was shake my head. The light turned green after that and I drove off. But that has haunted me since. Christ said we are to show love- to meet the basic needs of people- and by doing so we are in essence doing that to Him. But, by not doing this we are turning our back on Him as well.
So, maybe a better question is- where do we draw the line? Was I wrong to not roll the window down? I honestly am seeking opinions and thoughts on this matter. I have asked God to help me see that which is right in front of me and how I can help in the future but at the same time that scares me. Again, would love your thoughts- and will not take offense to any of them :)
This video says exactly how I feel
4 comments:
Boy, did that song bring back memories of days gone by. I think as a single female you have to err on the side of caution. however, you also need to stay open to the Spirit's prompting/leading. If you sense a real urging from Him, do and then trust that He will protect you. Obviously use some sense i.e. avoid opening your window to a man in an alley. :) But don't stop being sensitive to the Spirit's leading either.
Grrr I hate Blogger. I wrote a big long response and it deleted it. i will tell you instead of typing it again.
No, it worked- I just moderate the comments (unless you had more than what the first comment was) :)
Tami, I,too,(for the same reason you have stated) have questioned my avoidance, of helping those appearing to be in needful times, i.e. passing people parked off the side of the road with their "sos" lights flashing, berating myself that I could have offered my cell phone use. Some situations are proactively no-brainers. Others cause the hesitancy of faith. My prayer-I will hear the Spirit's call.
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