The Crack In My Songlasses

 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:4-8)

 
I have a confession: I sometimes have a really hard time seeing people the way Jesus sees them.

I'm not talking about the poor here. Or the widows. Or orphans. I'm not talking about people who obviously need to be shown God's love in a practical way. Granted, I could do more on that score, too, but I don't have a difficult time seeing them through Christ's eyes.

But on the other side of the spectrum, you have the haughty. The proud. The rude. You have people who seem to somehow believe they are better or more important than everyone else. You see people who are selfish with their belongings, refusing to help others. You have people who cut in line, cut you off, look down their noses, judge others. The greedy, the arrogant, the self-righteous.

I confess a difficult time seeing Jesus in some people.

But the more I think of it, the more I think it has more to do with me than it does with them. I have never been homeless or orphaned. I have been proud. I have been rude. I have been arrogant and self-righteous. And, sometimes, I still am.

Maybe I have such a hard time seeing Jesus in these people, because I'm too busy seeing myself.

I Was Thirsty

Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of Christ's miracles involved helping people?

Had Jesus wanted to simply prove His godhood, He could have done any number of neat tricks. Transported somebody from one spot to another. Caused it to rain out of a blue sky. Made the Sun go dark. Instead, He chose simple, humble compassion. He healed the sick and fed the hungry. He cast out demons.

In short, He loved. And then, He told us to love, too.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

He expanded on this point, in Matthew 25, describing those who would sit at His right hand: 

‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (vs34b-40)

Today is World Water Day. Water isn't a political issue, but an issue of compassion. We can help bring water to those who need it. We see Jesus thirsty, and have it in our power to give Him drink. 

Below are two of my favorite charities, both working to bring water to impoverished nations. Hit a link and see how you can help. 

Compassion International's Water of Life

Ryan's Well -- building wells, teaching hygiene and health, and more!

World Cancer Day: the Arms of Christ

Today is World Cancer Day. A day to remember the millions of people afflicted by some form of the illness. In fact, nobody's life is untouched by some form of this disease. Whether it is a father-in-law with Leukemia, an aunt with breast cancer, a mother with melanoma -- maybe you are yourself dealing with cancer -- all of us are affected.

But for all the uncertainty in dealing with such a painful, potentially deadly affliction, we can know two things for sure: that our Savior understands our suffering, and that His people are people of prayer and of care.

We don't always know why some people have to deal with this disease while others are seemingly untouched. The fact is, some of the best, most faithful people I know have been afflicted with some form or another of cancer. People who I know don't deserve it. But we know our God is faithful. He cares for those with cancer, and we -- His children -- are His hands and feet and arms.

Have you encouraged somebody with cancer today? Have you given a hug to somebody who needs it? Brought food to somebody too sick to get up and get it?

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:31-40)