Week 9 - a few challenges
Week 9
Last week I started to discuss some of the things you can do as a disciple.
This week I saw a bumper sticker that made me want to stress why becoming
a disciple of Christ is so important.
It was a quote - Mahatma Gandhi “I like your Christ, I do not like
your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Think of people’s behaviors around you. Are they showing unconditional
love? Christ did. Are they listening – honestly listening to what
you say? Christ does. Are they feeding the poor daily? Christ did. Christ
fed 5000 with just the few resources He had. He did not make excuses, but
His disciples did – they didn’t have the money to go and buy
the food needed. (Luke 9:10-17). Do those you know follow Luke 6:27-28 “…Love
your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you”?
If someone was to study you and your life, would they quote Gandhi? Do people
see Christ in you? They did in the disciples. HOW? - By their behavior.
Easter is almost here, but look at Acts 42-47 (the message) - 41-42 That
day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed
up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life
together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43-45 Everyone around was in
awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all
the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.
They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's
need was met. 46-47 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple
followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful,
as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their
number grew as God added those who were saved.
So when you see someone begging on the street – what do you do? Do
you hold all in common? Do you offer food? I don’t have much money,
but when asked, if I have a dollar, then I buy spend what I have and feed
those that ask. I turn not away. If I did, then I would not have Christ
in me. I would not be a disciple of Christ. Is someone you know struggling
to make ends meet? Have you offered to help? I challenge you not to give
money – what an easy answer when you have money!! How many I know
throw money at problems and say “I am feeding the poor, I give to
charities that take care of it for me.” Please GO help. I have been
challenged many times to give. I have often chosen all that I could give
– and that was my time or my skills.
Another question – which is a bit scary – if you see someone
stopped on the side of the road; do you stop to offer help? How do you incorporate
the Good Samaritan story in Luke 10:25-37 in your daily activities? If a
fellow worker at work is behind on their work, you are caught up –
do you offer to help? If a friend is moving, do you hope they won’t
ask you to help?
A disciple of Christ/God – has learned that all is God’s – your time, your possessions, your skills and abilities. It takes a bit a faith to share or in today’s world, a bit of insanity, to share all you have with others.
I must admit in today’s society, I would find it hard to open my door to a stranger that was dirty and looked a bit threatening. I would most likely call the police. My, how times have changed in my life time. I hate that we as a society can no longer trust those we don’t know. A stranger on the side of the road, if it is be a woman, you are more likely to stop and help. BUT she may not want a man to stop and help – he may a criminal wishing to take her money or more. If it is a man on the side of the road, I as a woman, I do not feel I can stop and help for the same fear. How sad the times we live in!
My prayer – God, I know that you love me. Please help me to learn to love me as much as you do. I feel inadequate to meet each day. Too much comes at me everyday and often I get angry or frustrated or impatient with those around me. Lord, how many times have you repeated your message of love, yet I still question it? If you can repeat your message, why is it I have problems with those around me when they need me to repeat myself? God help me!! God I often can’t pay all my bills, how do you expect me to share with those around me that need food or clothing or to make a phone call to a loved one a long distance from me? Don’t you know how hard I work to support my 3 bedroom house and 2 cars? What do you mean a single person doesn’t need that much stuff? At least one car doesn’t run – does that help? And I share my house with another that needs a roof? Does that count? I know those who have no car and are disabled, they need help, how often do I have to help them? Isn’t there a limit to the number of times I need to do such? You are right, Lord, you have no limits when you come to help me, why do I do such? This unconditional love thing, Lord, is (pardon my language), but it is DAMN hard to do!!!! Help me Lord to keep learning unconditional love from you. Help me Lord to give of all the resources you have blessed me with, freely, not expecting anything in return. Help me to depend on you Lord to keep providing for me, for my food, clothing and a roof. You sent the disciples out with just their clothes, and your Spirit to help them. God HELP ME!! God HELP me to trust in your provision for I have been blessed with friends, a great work environment/job and many resources. Help me to use all you have given me to reach out to those in need.
Yes, I may be a disciple of Christ, but I am like the original disciples, I still often doubt the power of God thru Christ.
Well, think of Jesus’ example and let me know if you too often feel that God’s love isn’t here beside you in a physical presence that you can grasp. Do you doubt too?
May God help as Luke 9:23 says, “If any person would come after Christ, let that person deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Christ.”
I hope and pray that each of you that read this may STOP and consider what this means to you.
I try to challenge you all, but often I find that this “blog”
challenges me. BUT I like the challenge, thank you all for letting me share
and challenge you all as well.
Alyce