Call & Response: Blessings & Curses, Part V
“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” ~ James 4:17
What is it that keeps us from responding to needs around us? What is it that keeps us from lending someone a helping hand? What is it that keeps us from doing the good that God has called and created us to do?
We can often find ways to blame circumstances, to justify our avoidance, to excuse ourselves from responsibility, or even blame the devil. We like to pass the buck. At least I do! It’s like the story of the Good Samaritan. We see someone barely clinging onto life, but we walk by because our schedules, our work, our stuff is just too important to stop and help. At least, that’s how I often respond. Oh, if I could only become more like the Good Samaritan. If I could only take on the heart of Jesus. If I could only take my focus off myself and turn it onto God. Maybe then I would have a proper response to the needs around me.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “Satan’s desire is to turn me in on myself to the extent that I become enslaved and become a destructive force in community. The thrust from Jesus Christ is the opposite - to enhance my freedom so that I can become a creative force of love. It is the spirit of self-centeredness and selfishness versus the spirit of openness and self-sacrifice for the good of others.”
There have been times when I’ve wondered why some are turned off by the Christian faith. When I think about how I sometimes fail to faithfully live out the teachings of Jesus, how I fail to love God and others, how I fail to help meet the needs of those in my community, how I prefer to focus on myself instead of doing all I can to become that “creative force of love” Bonhoeffer talks about…it becomes all too clear.
This Sunday, we’ll wrestle with what it means to faithfully respond to God’s call on our lives. We’ll wrestle with what it means to be faithful with God’s blessings. And, hopefully will be motivated, challenged, and encouraged to stop making excuses, to stop ignoring the needs of others, and start taking some practical steps to meet the basic needs of those in our church, community, and world.
If you’re in the area on Sunday, we’d love to have you join us at Center Chapel for worship. We gather together at 8 and 10am. We have coffee available before and after each service. This Sunday, we will have our Thanksgiving fellowship meal following the 10am service. So, if you come at 10am, come somewhat hungry because we’ll have an awesome feast!