Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Our mission to the Last, Least and Lost
“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak ………..” (1)
While Bobby was waiting in a government office he heard the sad story of a lady narrating her wild experiences with her husband and her three daughters to the officer. Her husband was a head load worker who was addicted to alcohol and drugs. He took a good sum as loan from the bank. He could not remit the loan or its interest in a timely fashion. Later he met with an accident, was in the hospital for many months and died. Thus the whole burden of caring for the family fell on the lady's shoulder. The woman was bewildered. Bobby sensed that she did not know what to do or where to turn. He tried to be silent. Then he heard a quiet voice inside him that was urging him to help, but he would not. Again he experienced prompting from God. Finally, he spoke to the woman and said to her “Madam I heard about your hardship, I believe God wants me to help you”. He made some phone calls to his friends and got her connected with people in a local Church, who provided her help in this pathetic situation.
Here we see three important aspects of true Christian life
Care for the fellow human beings: God created human beings with greater freedom. Freedom involves providing full opportunity to all creatures to grow to its full stature. Any obstacle to the growth of a person is to be negated from its context. God is a God of deliverance, deliverance from all the evil fetters of the growth of a person or a creature. God has given us talents, health, wealth and thus blessed us. These blessings are to be shared for the growth and development of all beings. Giving to the needy should not be a public act of righteousness. Jesus Christ taught us “do it in secret”, reward will follow from God at the right time. James 1:17 says “every good and perfect good is from above, coming down from the father of the heavenly lights... we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.”
Fellowship of brotherhood (of Fraternity): Ministry of empowering the weak is another vision of responsible Christian life. The basis of this great responsibility is love. There are many people who are in need of clothes, food, shelter, medicine, friendship etc. Christian faith is valid only when accompanied by action: otherwise, faith is dead. The spirit of 'hosting' is a Christian spirit. We are not guests in this world. Every Christian is a host to others, especially to those who are needy and weak. This is a joyful obligation. God has called us to active duty. When we read 2 Cor. 8 : 2 concerning the Macedonian Churches, “though they were in severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. They gave as much as they were able. “
Equality to all: Our duty as Christians is to assure equal opportunity and justice to all our fellow beings. Charity is essential for alleviating the problems of the weak. But the aim of charity should be to upliftthe weak and downtrodden and to make them equal to others. The measure of our charity is not in the quantity we give, but the intention of our hearts. As John says “Jesus Christ shared his life as charity for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3: 16-17. Psalms 41:2 says, “The Lord will protect them and preserve their lives and Lord will bless them in the land.” When we sense his prompting to help someone, we should be willing follow the call.
Prayer: Dear God let our life be a blessing to others. Help us to become your presence to the people who are in need. Amen.
Thought for the day: God calls us into action today. Let’s do his bidding with all our might.
Rev. Dr. P. L. John Panicker, Canadian M T C Toronto