Bringing Hope To Those In Need

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

Clara Belle and her family are couch surfing right now. Utterly at the mercy of their friends, they shift from one temporary place of residence to another, gradually losing hope that anything permanent will turn up. That is, a place to call their own; a bedroom for the children; a job for dad and a house where mum can create a home. Such happy circumstances seem like a dream for another life.

In the meantime, Clara Belle comes to school looking tired and ragged; She is melancholy and mostly disengaged with school work. Mum and dad stay at home searching, sometimes, for a house, sometimes for employment. Social security payments don’t ever seem to meet the bills. There is food to buy, drink and cigarettes to dull the pain and mask the reality of their situation.

My first response as chaplain to Clara Belle’s story was, I am ashamed to say, one of judgement. Surely the luxuries need to give way to buy what is really needed? But the compassion of Christ quickly reminded me that our sole duty is to love the LORD by loving others – regardless of the choices that they make. To be a follower of God, to be called one of His dearly beloved children, we are to mirror His approach to those who do not know Him, but are lost in their sin. While we were still sinners, God in love, sent His Son to die for our sin (Romans 5:8).Truly, love looks beyond the fault, beyond the shortcomings of humanity, and loves regardless.

Philippians 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Christ gave Himself up for us. His sacrifice was a sweet fragrant offering, pleasing to His Father. When we emulate Christ, our sacrifice is a sweet smelling savor to God too. Christ’s meekness, lowliness of mind, condescension to all means of people, His readiness to do good to all, with patience and long suffering – are continually set before us as an example. It is required that “the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus”. There is absolutely no room for anything less.

John Owen, one of the leading Puritans of the 17^th Century, succinctly said, “One Christian who is meek, humble, kind, patient and generous to all and condescends to the ignorance and weaknesses of others, who pities all sorts of people in their failings, such a Christian expresses more virtues and excellencies of Christ, than a thousand others who do magnificent works of piety or charity.”

What Clara Belle and her family need right now is not a demonstration of judgement or indifference, neglect or even benevolence. What they truly need is a demonstration of Christ’s love expressed by His people from a genuine Christ-loving heart. They need practical needs met not with pity, but with compassion and love.

When we show God’s love, when we offer care with a heart transformed by the love of Christ, we bring the gift of hope to those who feel they have none. The world offers little hope, Christ offers much.

• Where are you able to demonstrate Christ’s love to those in need, and bring hope to what appears hopeless?
• Are there people in your life that God has prompted you to reach out to but, you have neglected to do so?
• Has an attitude of criticism and judgement crept in to stymie your obedience to God?

Love and the exercise of it, is the principal grace and duty of every one who calls themselves a follower of Christ. Love for God and neighbor, especially those in need, is not an optional extra. We cannot turn our eyes away from those who are suffering and then declare we are a Christian! That is clearly an oxymoron that has no grounds in the Christian life. Let’s implore the LORD to forgive us of selfish attitudes and enlarge our heart to love as Jesus did. Our credibility as His saints depends upon it.

“Heavenly Father, I have been selfish and self-absorbed. I have looked inward to my own concerns, in times when I needed to be reaching out in love. Forgive me. Please enlarge my heart to love as You did Jesus. Open my eyes to those right before me in need and who need the message of hope. Thank You, LORD. Amen”