So, here I sit waiting for a meeting to start and I find my mind wandering to a topic that has been a bit consuming to me lately. What topic is it Ann that has been occupying your mind? Well, I'm glad you asked.
I have been thinking about how important it is for us as believers to love those around us. Why is it that a hurting world doesn't look to the church for help? Why is it that, even in the church, we don't have time to ask people how they are doing and actually listen when they try to tell us? As I look around me, I see a world of hurt. In the body of Christ called Colonial Woods we have hurting people. Those who are in need of a shoulder to cry on, arms to hug them, ears to listen and lips to speak words of truth and encouragement. There are so many in need, yet those who are willing to support, hug, listen and speak caring words seem so few.
Why are we not stepping up to meet the needs? Better question...why have I not stepped up to meet the needs? Partly because I haven't seen them. It's amazing what you miss when you are self-absorbed! And if I am honest, I can be pretty self-absorbed at times. Another reason I haven't stepped up is because it's work. It takes energy to care for people. It can be draining. It hurts to care and to let people actually matter to us. I think it is much easier to just stay self-absorbed! That is a plan you can choose.
There is one big problem with that plan though. To be a follower of Christ self- absorption is not an option. Jesus told us over and over that we needed to love Him first and secondly to love others has ourselves. So if I want to take seriously following Christ and not just say that I am...I need to be growing in my love for Him and growing in my love for others. If I am not growing in these two areas...how much am I really following Christ?
Here is my thought...most of us need to stop focusing on our own lives and actually pick our heads up and look for the nearest person who is hurting and start loving Christ by loving who he has put in front of us. And you can start today!
2 comments:
John H. and I were talking Sunday night about how well, or not, does CW connect with new people in the church. Do we know or meet the needs of people who come through our door? I think we do a good job of meeting needs of people, when they make them known; but I think we've got up to 50% of our church attendance who simply come to a weekend service, then skidaddle out of there. Those are the people we need to connect with, even if they don't think they want it.
Great post Ann! Really made me think.
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