A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 

 

 

 

Homeless woman wandering the streets, bundled up, pulling suitcases

What you did not do for them,
you did not do for me.
Matthew 25:45

 

 
Thanksgiving...a time to follow
Volume XV, Issue 47 
November 23, 2015 
These are dark days, requiring wisdom and caution, discernment and focus. Yet this remains a time of Thanksgiving. For within us, a Light shines...the Light of the world...the Light that gives life.
 
I remember her picture. One of many showing the arrests from the day before. Such a collection of expressions---anger, defiance, disdain, apathy. But the look on her face was different. Deep sadness. Elena had been arrested for walking along a restricted highway.
 
There was another...earlier...picture. A beautiful Russian girl and her husband, Constantine. Standing, arms wrapped around each other, faces pressed against each other, posed as if they were happy. But there was that look again.
 
There's an old saying: Takes one to know one. An alcoholic, observing how a person acts, speaks, and lives, can easily know there's a problem. It's a "been there, done that" thing. Those who survive are more alert to the warning signs in others.
 
That's also true of those who struggle in depression that overwhelms the soul, bends reality, and paints life as a hopeless failure. They see the charade of "life is good", "everything is under control", and "I can handle this." They know the loneliness and withdrawal. And...there's that look.

              One picture of an old woman, another of an old man, both desperate
In 2005, Constantine died of a drug overdose, leaving Elena with a financial nightmare. One year later she had no car, no electricity in her house. She tried returning to Russia, but passport issues at the airport kept her from leaving. Desperate, she walked the 25 miles home.
 
Bundled in dark clothes, with suitcases in hand, she began wandering along highways, going nowhere. A few offered help...a ride, advice...but no church or ministry. Depression took hold.
 
At 1:30 a.m., November 14, 2006, Elena died. Hit by a truck. Clothes and suitcases strewn across the pavement. She had been standing...just standing...in the middle of a highway. Elena was 26.
 
Jesus taught something different about loving others. The ancient law had been distorted over time into "love those who love you." But Jesus said to love one another...with no conditions.
                                                                                  A middle-aged man in line at a soup kitchen

We tend not to do a good job of that. Even in this time of Thanksgiving, we focus on ourselves. And for those who need to experience God's love, we often look the other way.
 
"What if they don't love me?" A new command I give you: Love one another. "But there might be danger?" As I have loved you, so you must love one another. "Why should I?" By this all men will know that you are my disciples...IF...you love one another. (read John 13:34-35)
 
"What if they're illegal immigrants? What if they're refugees?" Jesus once told Peter something that applies here as well: What is that to you? You must follow me. (John 21:22)
The image of a homeless man's feet, an empty cup between, and a sign that says, I have no one.
Many are suffering and desperate. But this isn't about them. It's about you. Will you reach out and love them or close the door? And don't forget Jesus' warning: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Matthew 25:45
 
Thank you God for who You are---Creator, Father, Friend, Counselor---who loves us deeply even when we fail to love those around us. And thank you for the opportunities you give us each day to show the world that we follow You and You alone...for we, too, are aliens and strangers in the world.
Take care & be God's,
 
Chuck
* Portions of this Note were adapted from one I wrote for November 20, 2006. It's central message seemed appropriate for today.
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