Thursday, December 8, 2011

Forsaken

The life each of us has come to know is the one we are most comfortable with. Makes sense, right? Even when that life is separate from God. It makes sense because it may be all that person has ever known. We are comfortable with what we know…until we learn otherwise.

I am only too familiar with this truth because my life now greatly differs from the one I began with when I was much younger. Over the years, I had learned not to trust anyone. That included anyone peddling religion; folks who would push themselves or a tract in my face and ask me if I knew Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
I would be offended.

I yearned so much to be cared for because I am valuable. I didn’t want to be someone’s brownie points for getting me to go to church; I desperately wanted and needed someone to care about me.
ME.

But, no one seemed to. So, I ended up in many a bad situation…….
Thankfully, the Lord, after many years of abuse and neglect, saved me.
However, I unfortunately remained angry at the church because I saw too much judgment, and not enough love and acceptance. I heard them talk. These people who were supposed to be my church family…..in essence, they were talking about me. They didn’t realize it, but they were talking about (the old) me. I would hear them speak about ‘those’ people outside the church; those who behaved badly. It hurt to know how they really felt about someone with my background.
It’s both perplexing and embarrassing to recognize that they call themselves Christians; followers of Christ. I used to wonder if they ever read their Bibles. And if they do, do they not understand what they are reading? Because if they do understand what they are reading, how can they judge so harshly? How can they hate so easily? How can they not be compassionate and loving?
Jesus is.

It is for these reasons Christians can not expect to be welcomed with open arms by those on the street; those outside the church.
All people need to know someone cares.
LOVE is what the Lord calls us to offer.
Why do we find it so hard to see Jesus in the eyes of each person we lock eyes with?
Please, don’t just give at Christmas. Make giving to others…in particular those who don’t know Jesus, a daily event all year round. Pray for others….
Even a smile; a friendly ‘hello’ can make a lot of difference in the life of one who feels forsaken. Please give that smile and that hello, if nothing else. You will be planting seed for the kingdom.
Bless You.
John 15:17, “This is my command: Love each other.” (NIV)

2 comments:

  1. I love this! Thank you for writing this! God Bless...

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  2. Thanks for sharing your heart. Blessings, Judi.

    ReplyDelete