Shut-Ins

Many churches have an organized program to calls on shut-ins, those who can’t always get to church. An elderly friend turned down such an offer from members of her church, “I don’t need people to visit me while I’m getting well.” It occurs to me that in some cases church organization and programming might well interfere with the impromptu nature of the Holy Spirit. The righteous need not have a visitation schedule. Jesus said, “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matt 25:37-40 NIV).