Christian Care
| An Advanced Publishing Services Publication |
“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mathew 20:28
“Share with God’s people who are in need.”
Romans 12:13
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
“…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6
It is with these words in mind that I write this article. A couple of years ago I took part in a study of Rick Warren’
s book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” From the onset the heart of this book, his message became crystal clear. “It’s
not about me”. There was no hiding it and no need to analyze it. It was as plain as day, right there in the open,
easy to see and yet for me and maybe for many, hard to accept and even harder embody. Everything that I am,
everything that I do, and everything that I wanted, just got turned upside down.
Our presence, in the world, is to serve. It is in that service that we are called to be God’s Church on Earth. Do
to his work and care for his people. We are to build his Church through our love for one another. Looking closer
at this idea let me ask this question. When, in your life did you feel that you were most important? Can you recall
a specific moment or even a serious of events when you thought your life had the most meaning? Now let’s
challenge our thinking a little, by the “most meaning”, I am talking about when your life meant the most to some
other than yourself, a time, when you made a difference in the life of person outside of your immediate family.
I know that every adult here can recall a time when some one you knew experienced a major change in life. That
change could have been any number of things, the loss of a family member or close friend, the loss of a job,
divorce, abuse, a victim of a disaster, coping with a terminal illness or caring for a family member who is ill or
disabled or any number of other situations that impact their ability to manage their emotions and actions.
Let’s take an instance of some one who has become unemployed. Unfortunately, this has become and all to
frequent a problem in our current economic times. Put yourself in the shoes of this person for a moment. The
first week or so, everyone wants to console and show their sympathy and offer their ideas for how to go about
finding a new job. Then as weeks go by the number of inquiries about your status and your job search gradually
decline until it becomes a passing question if anything at all. Then before you no it, there are people who have
disengage from your life entirely. As the search for employment approaches the 3rd month you feel completely
cut-off. People have continued with their lives, your friends from work are no longer calling to see how you are
doing and inviting you for a cup of coffee. Your mind gradually drifts into a feeling of loneliness and depression
may even be in your future. Who will be there for this you? Who will offer a caring moment in support for your
journey? As the frustrations of not finding work continue and the financial struggles become more difficult to
manage, who will be there?
Another example; is experiencing the death of a family member or friend. Follow the usual process for support
starting with the viewing and funeral. Dozens of people all around offering their love and concern for your
transition through the grief process. From the time immediately following the funeral, the number of people
offering their support declines. By the 6th week, most people have stopped asking about your loss and are now
either afraid to ask or feel you should be on the path of recovery. Grief has no time table. Who will be there
when the birthday, anniversary or other significant event recalls your memory of the one you lost? Who will be
there to help you recover?
We are called to serve others to share God’s love and share the hope, forgiveness and the joy of life ever after
through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.
As a society, time heals all wounds. As a person time is not the answer. Love, companionship, prayer and
understanding is the answer. Christians by our calling must be there when others have stepped aside. As
Christians we are to provide care without judgment and without a timeline.
Mathew 20:28
“Share with God’s people who are in need.”
Romans 12:13
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
“…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6
It is with these words in mind that I write this article. A couple of years ago I took part in a study of Rick Warren’
s book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” From the onset the heart of this book, his message became crystal clear. “It’s
not about me”. There was no hiding it and no need to analyze it. It was as plain as day, right there in the open,
easy to see and yet for me and maybe for many, hard to accept and even harder embody. Everything that I am,
everything that I do, and everything that I wanted, just got turned upside down.
Our presence, in the world, is to serve. It is in that service that we are called to be God’s Church on Earth. Do
to his work and care for his people. We are to build his Church through our love for one another. Looking closer
at this idea let me ask this question. When, in your life did you feel that you were most important? Can you recall
a specific moment or even a serious of events when you thought your life had the most meaning? Now let’s
challenge our thinking a little, by the “most meaning”, I am talking about when your life meant the most to some
other than yourself, a time, when you made a difference in the life of person outside of your immediate family.
I know that every adult here can recall a time when some one you knew experienced a major change in life. That
change could have been any number of things, the loss of a family member or close friend, the loss of a job,
divorce, abuse, a victim of a disaster, coping with a terminal illness or caring for a family member who is ill or
disabled or any number of other situations that impact their ability to manage their emotions and actions.
Let’s take an instance of some one who has become unemployed. Unfortunately, this has become and all to
frequent a problem in our current economic times. Put yourself in the shoes of this person for a moment. The
first week or so, everyone wants to console and show their sympathy and offer their ideas for how to go about
finding a new job. Then as weeks go by the number of inquiries about your status and your job search gradually
decline until it becomes a passing question if anything at all. Then before you no it, there are people who have
disengage from your life entirely. As the search for employment approaches the 3rd month you feel completely
cut-off. People have continued with their lives, your friends from work are no longer calling to see how you are
doing and inviting you for a cup of coffee. Your mind gradually drifts into a feeling of loneliness and depression
may even be in your future. Who will be there for this you? Who will offer a caring moment in support for your
journey? As the frustrations of not finding work continue and the financial struggles become more difficult to
manage, who will be there?
Another example; is experiencing the death of a family member or friend. Follow the usual process for support
starting with the viewing and funeral. Dozens of people all around offering their love and concern for your
transition through the grief process. From the time immediately following the funeral, the number of people
offering their support declines. By the 6th week, most people have stopped asking about your loss and are now
either afraid to ask or feel you should be on the path of recovery. Grief has no time table. Who will be there
when the birthday, anniversary or other significant event recalls your memory of the one you lost? Who will be
there to help you recover?
We are called to serve others to share God’s love and share the hope, forgiveness and the joy of life ever after
through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.
As a society, time heals all wounds. As a person time is not the answer. Love, companionship, prayer and
understanding is the answer. Christians by our calling must be there when others have stepped aside. As
Christians we are to provide care without judgment and without a timeline.
