Job 5:11
He protects the sorrowful and lifts up those who have been disgraced.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you stop and think about Jesus’ ministry and teachings, the core of His message is found in Matthew 25:37-40, which says, “Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?" The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."
God protects the sorrowful and lifts up those who have been disgraced. How? By sending nurturing believers … caregivers … those who are filled with grace, love and mercy – and willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I hear so many people say, “Oh, when someone dies, I just don’t know what to do… I don’t know what to say to the family… it just makes me uncomfortable.” Others say, “I am no good at helping sick people,” or “I have my hands full with my own life … I have so much to do, and don’t have time to see about someone who is injured or help others with their chores and errands.” Others say, “I simply have no patience with people who whine and complain or are sick or depressed or can’t seem to get their life together.”
Can I tell you something? There is an epidemic of burned-out caregivers and nurturers in this country, because many are called, but few are stepping up to the plate. If you look around and listen, a whole lot of us have an arsenal of excuses ... and what it often boils down to is the fact that we don’t want to do anything that tests our patience, our comfort level, our “image,” or costs us a little bit of our time. And age is no excuse, either.
Not too long ago, a junior high student posted a prayer request on Facebook for a fellow classmate who was having serious surgery. An elementary school student spent many hours and days this summer with her friend during his ordeal with brain surgery. My friend Melissa is heading up The C.A.L.L. – a ministry to help foster children in our area – despite the fact that she is the busy mother of two very young children. Another friend, Ms. Peggy, who is an octogenarian, keeps a visitation calendar that would exhaust a 16-year-old. She cooks for others, visits, calls, sends cards and notes of encouragement, love and sympathy … and she prays for countless people on her list.
Let me tell you … caring for the hungry, the sick, the elderly, the injured, those in prison or down on their luck, the homeless and hopeless, and more… can be unpleasant, time-consuming, and personally draining. But consider this … when a woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, He felt the power of the Holy Spirit leave His body. The next time you help someone in the name of Jesus and feel drained afterward, maybe that is the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through you! Maybe God is using you to protect the sorrowful and lift those who have been disgraced. Do you really want to risk missing this blessing?
There may very well come a day when you find yourself in need of nurture and care from others. How will you feel if nobody shows up to serve you? We have a lot of excuses – but none of them are good ones. You can say all you want that “I’m not very good at that,” or “I have no patience,” … or even “I don’t know what to do,” but I’m not buying it … and God most certainly isn’t! We weren’t called to only serve when it is pleasant or convenient or makes us look good. In fact, we are called to do just the opposite … to step outside our comfort zone and do what needs to be done, with grace, mercy, love and joy … and the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the words of comedian Bill Engvall, “Here’s your sign.” This is your wake-up call … your notice that it’s time to get up and get going and figure out how and where God is calling you to serve. Who are you supposed to lift from sorrow? Who are you to encourage to overcome disgrace? Who are you supposed to feed, clothe and assist? Are you praying for others and asking God to send you wherever He needs you to serve? How long has it been since you felt the power of the Holy Spirit flow from you to others – if ever? It’s time… now… today… to start serving in the name of the One who gave His very life for us. Where will you begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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