Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out.
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This was one of the verses of focus for my Bible study on Wednesday night. We are studying Beth Moore's "Jesus the One and Only". In the video on Wednesday, she brought out a point that has stayed with me.
She made an observation between Jesus' ministry and current Christian ministry and the differences that seem to be there. Jesus ministered to the down and outs, those truly in need, those desperate - those that don't have it all together. He "went to the other side" to meet those that were truly in need of ministry.
I agree with her wholeheartedly - however, I am not intending to criticize or judge the current church. You see, I have to ask myself that tough question - how I am reaching those "on the other side"? Am I willing to be inconvenienced? Am I able to meet them on their level - where they are?
I have been asking the Lord for opportunities to minister ... and when He sends people ... I struggle with being inconvenienced by the needs that are there. I have jokingly said "ok, Lord, how about sending the easy 'got-it-all-together' group of women to minister to and we can just have our little coffee party and talk about you?" Wouldn't that be nice? :)
But you see, that is not how He works - if we "have it all together", we aren't always focused on our need for Him. He has a heart for those who are hurting - He is full of compassion for those who are desperate. I love the verses from Isaiah 61 describing Jesus' ministry.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
I have met a few people that are in need of a touch from Him. I am praying that the Lord will give me opportunities to serve them in His name and bring Him glory. I am praying that I will be given His words to touch them - words of healing and forgiveness. Being careful to not condemn or correct with my words. In other words, just to allow Him to shine through me.
Being willing to "go to the other side" to meet people where they are.
Thanks for letting me think out loud.
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Thanks for thinking out loud and sharing with us. Thanks for that little tug at my own heart about reaching out more to those who need Him so badly and don't even know they need Him.
ReplyDeleteSusan
That's a good one, Shirley.
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord guide you and give you opportunities to show His love to those that are in need. (I guess that's everybody)....He'll show you where that circle is and it seems like He already has. He'll give you the words to say at just the right time.
God Bless!
Heidi
I know just what you mean. Sometimes, I've thought the same with my kids. Why didn't God give me good compliant from the get-go kids? And do such kids really exist?
ReplyDeleteEven people who appear to have it altogether spiritually may not - your ministry to others may be closer than you realize just in the circle you already have.
It reminds me of Brandon Heath's song, "Give me your eyes:"
"Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted Ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten Give me your eyes so I can see"
Happy weekend,
Jamie
These were such good thoughts...Jesus did come to help those that were helpless. When when it comes right down to it, really means all of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a blessing and edifying not just to those whom you meet in person but to those of us here in blogland!
~Tammy