AWAKEN AND RISE

I have been silent for awhile; not because I didn’t have anything to say, but I was waiting until I could temper my concern and indignation as it relates to how we, as Christians, have to be urged to understand the needs of others.

I can not understand how we, who say we believe in Christ, are not moved when we hear something as horrible on the news as, “In an unrelated incident, police said they are investigating a double shooting and apparent suicide that happened Sunday morning in Chester.” In this incident, a teenage girl and her mom received multiple gunshot wounds and survived. Yet not one church was moved to seek them out to find out if they needed any assistance.

Some would say, “That’s not my gift,” while others would say honestly, “I don’t know what to do.” To the first statement I would respond:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)

It is our duty to love one another. In doing so, the love we feel for those who have suffered or who are suffering, will motivate us toward action. We will be moved to make an attempt to provide comfort and support, as Love makes their needs known to us. Today it appears that we are so afraid of everything, including caring for one another. What has happened to us?

In response to the second statement, I would say:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (I Corinthians 13: 1-3)

It is through our love for one another that we are moved to action. Love directs our responses. Love insures that our motives are pure. It is the love for humankind that responds without knowing what we should do, but evokes in us the need to do something.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:15-18)

Therefore, my fellow believers, step out on faith in the love that is supposed to exist within us, if we truly believe that God is love. His love will spur us into action and this action will touch the lives of those who are hurting. Trust God; He will not steer you wrong, and the Christ in you, will fill you with the capacity to love beyond limits. Just trust Him. There is a whole world that needs healing. Step into the depths of pain and wade out beyond the shore of our self-indulgence, into the realm of unknowing. As Jesus said to Peter while the waves crashed all around him, “Come.” (Matthew 14:29) For it is when we are most insecure that Christ provides us with security. Step out of the boat.