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
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Surprised by A Friend's Question
It was about five-years ago when out-of-the-blue, a friend said, "God has asked me to wash your feet. May I wash your feet?”
Yes, I was shocked. Although I knew about and had watched foot-washing services, it had not been a part of my Baptist upbringing. It was something I always associated with either more liturgical or Pentecostal churches.
The experience was life-changing. A sign-post on my spiritual journey. For me, it was an example of someone being so sold-out to God they were willing to do anything, no matter how awkward or unusual. It also sent a very clear message to me that God knew my deepest needs and heart-cry and He was indeed anointing me for further service as I would soon be making my mission trip to India.
John 14:13 The Message, says: “So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Before the Passover meal, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service. Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command. Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”(John 13:34-35 Message)
This commandment to love one another came as a precursor to the very manifestation of the "mandate" —as Christ allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified as a sign of His total obedience unto God the Father and His love for all people.
As we bow down like humble servants, we learn the obedience of Christ that ushers in the kingdom of God’s love. Symbolically washing someone’s feet is a way of restoring them to their best for the Lord and others. By our love, we encourage people to rise above their shackling circumstances and enable them to walk upright in their anointed Calling.
How wonderful that our own difficulties need not prevent us from doing good, that in spite of our own pain, we can still bring encouragement to others!
“It is clearly not true that we have to be perfect before we can help another person. Frequently a ‘wounded healer’ is used to bring hope and well-being to another, which results in growth well beyond that experienced by the giver. Sometimes the wounded healer can bring to the other the very blessing and healing for which the healer himself or herself is seeking.” – Charles Ringma
Henri Nouwen reminds us that frequently one “must look after his own wounds, but at the same time be prepared to heal the wounds of others.”
The practice of washing another’s feet reminds us of the biblical principles of servant-hood, humility, and forgiveness. Foot-washing is symbolic and reminds us that we are called to serve others—for the glory of God.
Many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as part of their Maundy Thursday services, but how much more life-changing when foot-washing happens anytime just because of the Holy Spirit’s leading, friend-to-friend.
Yes, I was shocked. Although I knew about and had watched foot-washing services, it had not been a part of my Baptist upbringing. It was something I always associated with either more liturgical or Pentecostal churches.
The experience was life-changing. A sign-post on my spiritual journey. For me, it was an example of someone being so sold-out to God they were willing to do anything, no matter how awkward or unusual. It also sent a very clear message to me that God knew my deepest needs and heart-cry and He was indeed anointing me for further service as I would soon be making my mission trip to India.
John 14:13 The Message, says: “So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Before the Passover meal, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service. Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command. Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”(John 13:34-35 Message)
This commandment to love one another came as a precursor to the very manifestation of the "mandate" —as Christ allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified as a sign of His total obedience unto God the Father and His love for all people.
As we bow down like humble servants, we learn the obedience of Christ that ushers in the kingdom of God’s love. Symbolically washing someone’s feet is a way of restoring them to their best for the Lord and others. By our love, we encourage people to rise above their shackling circumstances and enable them to walk upright in their anointed Calling.
How wonderful that our own difficulties need not prevent us from doing good, that in spite of our own pain, we can still bring encouragement to others!
“It is clearly not true that we have to be perfect before we can help another person. Frequently a ‘wounded healer’ is used to bring hope and well-being to another, which results in growth well beyond that experienced by the giver. Sometimes the wounded healer can bring to the other the very blessing and healing for which the healer himself or herself is seeking.” – Charles Ringma
Henri Nouwen reminds us that frequently one “must look after his own wounds, but at the same time be prepared to heal the wounds of others.”
The practice of washing another’s feet reminds us of the biblical principles of servant-hood, humility, and forgiveness. Foot-washing is symbolic and reminds us that we are called to serve others—for the glory of God.
Many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as part of their Maundy Thursday services, but how much more life-changing when foot-washing happens anytime just because of the Holy Spirit’s leading, friend-to-friend.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A New Self Can Emerge
"We too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4 TNIV).
"In the midst of change, where previous certainties and securities slip away, a new self can emerge. While we may grieve over what we have lost, we can also rejoice in the new things that we are discovering about ourselves." -- Charles Ringma (Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's plan may not take you in the direction you were expecting. It may not "fit" the dream you've seen of your life. But when you trust him and take the next step of obedience according to his will, you can be assured he is working out the plans for your life.
God has said, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them" (Isaiah 42:16 TNIV).
"There are many events in our lives over which we have no control. However, we do have a choice either to endure trying times and press on or to give up. The secret of survival, whether or not we question God's presence or His ability to help us, is remembering that our hope is in the fairness, goodness, and justice of God. When we put our trust in the character of a God who cannot fail us, we will remain faithful. Our trust and faithfulness produce the endurance that sees us through the "tough stuff" we all face in this life." -- Elaine Wright Colvin (Treasure of God's Virtues)
God, you're leading me.
With confidence I face my day,
Every duty and interruption
are appointments
you've sent my way.
--Elaine Wright Colvin
"In the midst of change, where previous certainties and securities slip away, a new self can emerge. While we may grieve over what we have lost, we can also rejoice in the new things that we are discovering about ourselves." -- Charles Ringma (Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's plan may not take you in the direction you were expecting. It may not "fit" the dream you've seen of your life. But when you trust him and take the next step of obedience according to his will, you can be assured he is working out the plans for your life.
God has said, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them" (Isaiah 42:16 TNIV).
"There are many events in our lives over which we have no control. However, we do have a choice either to endure trying times and press on or to give up. The secret of survival, whether or not we question God's presence or His ability to help us, is remembering that our hope is in the fairness, goodness, and justice of God. When we put our trust in the character of a God who cannot fail us, we will remain faithful. Our trust and faithfulness produce the endurance that sees us through the "tough stuff" we all face in this life." -- Elaine Wright Colvin (Treasure of God's Virtues)
God, you're leading me.
With confidence I face my day,
Every duty and interruption
are appointments
you've sent my way.
--Elaine Wright Colvin
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