December 30, 2008
Really in Need
This time of year many communities come together and share with those who are needy. However I think it’s sometimes difficult to identify those who are really in need. Paul says, “The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.” (1 Tim 5:5 NIV) I’ve known folks who put their hope in relatives, in the government and in friends, but I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who prays night and day asking God for help. I’m sure it’s not PC to ask someone about their prayer life, but it could be a nice litmus test to identify those who are really in need.
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----Since need is a matter of perception, and everyone’s perceptions are somewhat different, it is difficult for us to recognize the needs of others. I believe this is one of the reasons the writer of Hebrews encourages us to not forsake gathering together. That gathering together brings us into contact with each other needs no mention. But what we do with that contact does. Do we come together to simply be encouraged by seeing Jesus’ reflection in others? Do we to give encouragement by letting Jesus’ reflect off ourselves? Or do we hope to see some reflection of ourselves in others for personal validation? We do the same for others when we reflect their interests. I think this little sampling of objectives is accurate, but not complete.
-----Getting more intimately acquainted with one another is an object of gathering that should be practiced with intention. We don’t know each other truly until we become familiar with each other’s perceptions. And until we do that, we only have our own unaffected perceptions as a guide for what others around us may need. So I think meaningful interaction is a great way to know the needs of others, not just according to the way we ourselves perceive a need, but according to the way the one in need perceives it.
-----Since we are not all so good at that, the widow is left with hope in God and prayer. Which is not such a bad situation. Jesus said God will give care to the one who seeks the kingdom of heaven, and James said the prayer of a righteous person is greatly effective. My family did advent this Christmas season, but the guide booklet we followed gave only scriptures to read on the weekdays. Char and I were used to reading a little write-up about the scripture, as well. So I did my best to do a bit of write-up to read each day. One day I wrote about Mary’s exclamation concerning God’s regard given to her little, insignificant self to be the bearer of the Lord. I wrote about the minuteness of the vastness of the universe, and the greater minuteness of the individual soul within it, yet God’s focused purpose being the safety of that soul in His presence. For some reason, I thought to send that to a client of mine as a Christmas greeting. Later, she informed me that her husband had been fired the day before she received it, and that she cried tears of comfort when she read it. Another time, I cut a one inch section from a garden hose to take to town and use as a template for a coupling I needed. While in town I crossed paths with another brother whose vehicle had burst a power steering hose. He needed the vehicle that day and we could not find a hose for it in town. So my template and two hose clamps became an effective repair that got him through the day. God makes His way through our contact with each other, whether or not we are aware of it. I know you all could throw in many examples from your experiences, too.
-----So for a real need a familiar brother is beneficial, and God is great back-up. It’s the faith and the hope and the prayer that attracts Him there.
Love,
Steve Corey
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