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Cheryl Weber
When we become involved in the lives of people who are needy, it can get messy.
I am a caregiver for an older lady dealing with multiple health issues and other painful losses.
She struggles to live as normally as possible and I can sometimes find myself critical of her choices and at times, her needs can feel inconvenient.
I have also been reaching out to a young co-worker with an abusive past.
I have also been reaching out to a young co-worker with an abusive past.
She knows all the right answers spiritually but is unwilling to give up the security of her relationship with her live-in boyfriend or her right to do things her way.
Although she refuses to yield her life to Christ, I am still called to love and befriend her.
Jesus never hesitates to immerse himself in our messes. Philippians 2:5-8 NLT says that he came from heaven and
Jesus never hesitates to immerse himself in our messes. Philippians 2:5-8 NLT says that he came from heaven and
“appeared in human form,” taking on “the humble position of a slave.”
He gathered about himself tax collectors, prostitutes, those the religious elite called “[preeminently] sinful people.”
(Luke 5:30 AMPC)
He healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and fed the hungry.
He confronted the messiness of religious pride and taught us the Father’s truth.
His cross is the ultimate answer to our messiness.
His cross is the ultimate answer to our messiness.
It dealt once and for all with sin, death, and hell (Matthew 20:26-28, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57).
Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to his disciples, and ascended into heaven.
Afterwards, the Holy Spirit filled his disciples (Acts 2) empowering them to redemptively immerse themselves in the messiness around them.
Our own messiness should not stop us from reaching out to others in their pain.
Our own messiness should not stop us from reaching out to others in their pain.
When we do, we may be inconvenienced.
But it’s not about us.
Jesus didn’t retain his right to stay in heaven but came to us out of desperate love and a desire for our redemption.
We are called to follow his example and bring his love and good news of eternal life to a dying world.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to address the mess in my life. Help me humble myself as you did and bring your hope and good news to a hurting world.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to address the mess in my life. Help me humble myself as you did and bring your hope and good news to a hurting world.
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