When we see someone else's problem, instead of getting involved or helping them out...sometimes it's easier to look the other way. To do nothing. To ignore it.
But that's not what the Bible says here. Instead, it says when you see an ox or sheep wandering around (insert dog or cat , if it helps you relate better to the story), do not ignore it. Rather, go and find it's owner. And if you don't know who it belongs to, take it home with you. Give it food, water, and a bath! Then, when the owner comes, give it back to them gladly.
3 times in 4 verses this phrase is repeated: Do not ignore it. Why?
Could it be that God's Word is pointing out how callous I have become? For someone who thinks he's a servant-leader, what if I'm a selfish-leader instead? Surely not. When my brother has a need, I would never ignore it! (...or would I?) Do I only help people I like? Or only when it's convenient? Or only when there's life-&-death hanging in the balance?
After all, this isn't an emergency room visit; it's a lost pet, for goodness sakes! How big a deal is it, anyway?! Don't sweat the small stuff, right? Wrong! Because what's "small stuff" to me might be "big stuff" to my brother.
The point is: Do not ignore it. Care. Listen. Be there. Get your hands dirty. Get some mud in your floorboard.
And don't just take my word for it; try this one on for size:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus... (Philippians 2:3-4)
Well said Pastor David. Another spirit filled Father's Day message too.
ReplyDeleteUpon meditating on your message and blog post, I asked God to search my heart for restoration and compassion towards others that I've crossed paths with throughout my day and missed the mark.
It's easy to get wrapped up in our daily affairs of the day and either consciously or subconsciously ignore others in need. We often focus on our own needs in times of trouble or prosperity. Hence who could be in greater need than selfish me? It's the natural man's mindset. How many of us have a natural man's spirit that looks like the incredible HULK. While our spirit man looks like Pee Wee Herman. Whatever we focus on longest becomes strongest. Paul said it best, "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" Hebrews 12:1-3.
My point is this. We favor to help animals rather than people most of the time. For instance, we have animal shelters for animals. And families are compassionate and eager to rescue homeless animals and give them a home. On the other hand, we have homeless shelters for people. What families come to rescue them and give them a home?
So, as God enlarges my territory, I plan on making a conscious effort to be a vessel that pours out to others what God has in me - Christlike compassion for others. This way, I can rescue Rover out of that ditch instead of ignoring him.
Good grief, James! I like your comment post better than the original! Well said, or should I say "well written"?
ReplyDeleteI love the Hulk vs. Pee Wee comparison. I heard it said another way: "What you feed grows; what you starve dies." The goal, then, should always be to feed our hearts, minds & spirits with God's thoughts--and by default, we starve the selfishness of our old nature.
We are "ministers of reconciliation" and God is making his appeals (to the lost & dying) through us. Awesome--and humbling--responsibility, huh?
Thanks for the feedback! Good stuff...
This message stuck with us. Around our house, we say from time to time a comment like, "Hey, you wanna hear about the ox i came across today?" like when I just did something simple like return a RedBox movie for a very pregnant friend on bed rest. We've noticed more oxen cross our roads now. And that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are made aware of ways to witness or help, we have an immediate choice to make. Thanks for this message.