Without Hesitating
October 25, 2012
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Hebrews 13:3, Mark 1:32-34, Romans 12:13
Hebrews 13:3
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
Mark 1:32-34
“That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all their sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons…”
Romans 12:13
“Share with God’s people who are in need.”
Strangers.
Hidden from our sight
and our conscience.
Lord, I’ve counted in Bible
and you mention prisoners a lot.
So many stories of you spending time with
the physically
and the mentally ill,
healing with compassion and care.
Not for you the racial discrimination
of your time -
you accepted hospitality from
a Samaritan woman
and stayed to talk.
And you gave a poor widow
with little worldly standing
all the respect the rich and well-connected
could never have.
Even Tax Collectors “and other sinners!”
get a fair hand from you.
And yet
today we can live cocooned
in our world of privilege and plenty,
comfort and safety
and, without really intending to,
forget the very people
you came for, mixed with
and cared about.
So please,Lord,
the next time I see
that man wandering in the road
shouting out bits of Milton, and avoid him;
the next time I encounter the
woman pushing an empty pram
singing to her ‘baby’, and feel embarrassed;
the next time I move seats
to get away from the smelly man
at choir practice, instead of speaking to him;
the next time I toss in the paper bin
requests for money for WaterAid,
hare lip ops and all the other needs
that drop through our letter boxes daily
(including Amnesty International
which I keep meaning to join but still haven’t)
without responding in the way you have taught me…
...Stop me!
And remind me
that you,Lord, have blessed me with so much.
And it’s time to share what I have.
Without hesitating.
-
written by Ginni Auld
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