What good is it my sisters and brothers if you supply the
bodily needs of those who are hungry and do not wish them well by warming them
with the sharing of peace? What good is that? I’m taking some liberties with
the word from James but only because there is a tendency for well-meaning
people to provide for people in need without ever getting to know or appreciate
the person in need. Calvary’s
participation in the Room in the Inn ministry attempts to meet both the
relational and physical needs of the guests who spend the night in our family
life center and if you ask them I think they appreciate the relational aspect as
much as the physical. Case in point; Pastor Phil’s made to order omelets
are an often mentioned breakfast with the RITI crowd but others provide
wonderful egg casseroles with the same ingredients so I think the difference
must be in the ability to choose. There is a huge
difference between eating from a predetermined menu and having a choice, especially
when most decisions in your day to day are determined by someone else. The
homeless need help, no doubt, but I think what they long for is dignity and
that doesn't come to anyone as charity. It can only be found in true friendship and
genuine love that looks past possessions or lack thereof to value another person as a
human being created in the image of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment