When Did You Last Display Love In Action?

Nothing impedes a person's ability to change more than the idea that nothing can improve your present situation, and that your social strata is scripted by destiny. Nothing brings hope to the poor except realizing God is the great change agent who invites the poor to well-being and deliverance.

"Why is it that we keep giving dimes without daring to look into the face of the beggar?" asks Henri Nouwen

There is poverty all around us – in the First World as well as in the Third World.

There is poverty of spirit, of relationship, of community. There is spiritual poverty where worship and prayer have become absent from people’s lives. There are the permanently unemployed, the disabled, the alcoholic, and the drug addict.

But the question is: Are all of these living in poverty just strangers to us? Have we ever shared a cup of coffee or a meal? Offered true companionship? Stopped long enough to sit with them and hear their heart cry?

There must come a time when “companionship” becomes the call to integrity. It means we clasp the beggars hand, break bread together, and join one another in the journey toward wholeness. (Charles Ringma)

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love” (1 Cor. 13:3 Message).

Everywhere there are opportunities and challenges to love, to care, to give. “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11). Have you become blind to the needs?

As Mother Teresa said, “The needs are always greater than our ability to meet them.” Her work in Calcutta was among the poorest of the poor, including lepers and abandoned children. Throughout India, the needs defy counting. The challenges are staggering.

Love in action gives us the opportunity to help and bless others. This often opens the way for sharing the good news of the gospel. “The deeds of the gospel make way for the words of the gospel.” – Charles Ringma

And isn’t this our Calling: the call to care for, proclaim good news to, and advocate on behalf of those who are needy. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

Reflection: Giving opens us to mysterious graces because it brings us in touch with the heart of God. – Charles Ringma

Happiness is Temporary; Joy is Lasting

Yikes! It is the end of the first month of a New Year. This year was going to be different. This year we had plans and goals that we knew would head us in the direction we wanted to be going.

What were you seeking in this first thirty days of the New Year? Perhaps it was happiness, success, new relationships, meaningful work -- our lists are undoubtedly different and probably quite long. But whatever was at the top of our list, we realize how far we have yet to go.

J.I.Packer reminds us, "The paradoxical truth is that to seek pleasure, comfort, and happiness is to guarantee that you will miss them all. ... These subjective states become heart realities only as by-products that come from focusing on something else, something perceived as valuable, invigorating, and commanding." (Hot Tub Religion, 64-65)

The Reality is: Happiness is a by-product of loving God.

In the end, we must agree with David, who for all his failures, mess-ups, and griefs knew that joy is found in a life lived in companionship with God. "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever" (Psalm 16:11).

The Life Application Bible reminds us: True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us ... As we understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don't base your life on circumstances, but on God."

So what has gone wrong for you in January 2011? Perhaps you are doing the most important work of your life -- and the enemy knows it and has stepped in with some direct shots of spiritual warfare. Perhaps you are grieving the death of a loved one or the loss of an important relationship you thought would last forever. Perhaps the news from your doctor is worse than you are prepared to accept. Perhaps your finances have taken a big hit -- and in this economy its hard to see how you'll ever dig yourself out of the pit.

Do you think any of your problems have caught God by surprise? No, definitely not. And he has not left us unprepared or unarmed. In fact, his instructions are very specific. Read them with me in Deuteronomy 30:6-11 New Living Translation:

"The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! ... The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do. The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. ... This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach."

And you can proceed confidently on the biblical promise found in Joshua 1:8-9 NLT: "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Okay, its a brand new month and we get another chance. To be successful, we must follow God's words to Joshua. We may not succeed by the world's standards, but we will be a success in God's eyes--and his opinion is most important (LAB note).