Remember the Poor

Just an interesting observation today as I read through Galatians. Paul is defending the simple gospel that he preached to the believers in Galatia, saying that if somebody is preaching something different, they are wrong. So Paul goes through a process of backing up his version of the gospel, showing how those with authority and those who were highly esteemed by the early church approved of what he was saying.

Interesting then, that the one thing these early church leaders reminded Paul must not be left out of his gospel message: "Remember the poor." Paul was preaching a gospel of freedom from the law by living in the grace of Christ, but the one thing that the apostles wanted to make sure also was conveyed was that the poor in the community must be provided for. It is, apparently, an essential part of the gospel, an essential part of Jesus' truth.

It's sad then to look at the state of American Christianity. We have embraced Paul's theme of freedom from the law, the forgiveness of sin through Christ. But have we ever forgotten the poor. We have more wealth in this country than we know what to do with. So we buy bigger houses, bigger TVs, newer... anyways, I'm on a silly rant right now. How well do I remember the poor?

I like to console myself by the fact that I volunteer, support a Compassion child, etc. But is that remembering the poor in the way that God calls us to? I don't really ever feel so. My biggest problem is my fear of the poor. I never grew up around anyone who wasn't well taken care of. It makes me really nervous and uncomfortable to be around less refined, less educated, less fortunate people. How awful is that! I mean it seriously shames me.

But I do nothing about it. Because it really does scare me. It a ridiculous little circle. Fear and no action, fear and no action. But the fear-of-the-Lord is to be stronger than my fears. Can I let it be stronger than my fear of the poor? Can I form relationships and remember those who struggle...

I'm afraid I want to answer: "Probably not..."

Two Extremes

Texts:
- Psalms 97-100
- Luke 13-14
- Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52

Lord God, I have so many things on my mind, all the time. It becomes tough to pull out one hour in the morning to focus them on You. Help me to do that this morning, to take some silent time and really hone in on Your voice and Your call. What are You saying to me?

The Scriptures that I read today dealt with praising You for You are set above the nations, high and mighty and working salvation with Your strong hand. Then I turn to Matthew and Your earthly parents were wrapping You up tight and fleeing to Egypt because Herod was literally going to kill You. Such might and awe and wonder to such fear and weakness and avoidance. God the unchangable, but certainly You always exist in ways that don't make much sense.

Of course, isn't my life really like that? Lived in two extremes? There are all the things that I know and want to do for You, for my wife, my friends, myself, etc. Then there are all the desires for detrimental or inconsequential things. I sit at my computer and write my blog, rolling around ideas of salvation and awe and wonder, then click over to my email, see the woman on the sidebar advertisement and suddenly become a person in fear, weakness, and avoidance. Strength to weakness in a matter of moments.

The shocking thing I think is that You don't change this process. Being right with You doesn't mean I will live in perpetual strength. In fact, it guarantees that I'll go through lengthy times of weakness, where You show Your strength in my life by being the only thing I can rely on. I think that is a mis-taught point in many Christian congregations today. When God's strength comes into my life, it does not in any way mean that I will be strong all the time. It just means that I will now have companionship and the hope of deliverance when I am invetibly weak.

Lord God, may You ever shorten my moments of weakness and ever strengthen my ability to run. May You stand between the two extremes for my and guide my transition, keep me humble in times of strength and hopeful in times of weakness. Blessed are You, Lord God of mighty hand and humble cross, for You walked the life of humanity, were exalted and were beaten down. May my lips ever praise You Jesus, for walking through it all so You can walk through it with us. Amen.