ODJ: right in front of you
March 13, 2010
Don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves (v.22).
READ: James 1:22-27
When the economy went bad, many sensed impending disaster. Pastor Bob Johnson saw opportunity. He had been on mission trips, and he’d seen some of the vital work going on in various corners of the world. But he wanted his church to make a difference in their community. This was the chance.
He scheduled a meeting with his city’s mayor and asked, “What can we do to help you?” The mayor was astounded. Usually, people came to him for help. Together, the mayor and the pastor came up with five ways to provide assistance. In one local county, more than 20,000 seniors went an entire year without a single visitor. The church could definitely do something about that.
Foster care presented a dire need as well. Hundreds of children needed a family to take care of them. And many kids with a mom or a dad still needed tutoring that their parents couldn’t provide. Some needed more substantial, one-on-one mentoring to help them stay out of gangs and out of trouble. And the community had numerous military families that needed assistance when Mom or Dad was deployed.
It’s telling that the writer of James singled out widows and orphans as objects for the attention of the church. “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (1:27). It’s reminiscent of Jesus’ words in Matthew: “When you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me” (25:40). He was speaking of those who had helped the needy, not knowing they were really helping Christ Himself.
Don’t stress out about the endless needs in our world. Put your Christianity into practice. Do something about the need right in front of you. —Tim Gustafson
How well are you respecting the elderly and caring for the needy? Is it time to step out of your comfort zone and visit a nursing home? What child in your life could use some time and help?
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