I have a friend who is so committed to taking care of God’s creatures that she’s the mother, (and sole caretaker), of a Feral Cat Colony. She uses her own money to feed and medically provide for them, which includes having each of the cats spayed or neutered. What I find most fascinating about her feline charges is that they are increasingly affectionate with their human mother. (Feral Cats are usually weary of human contact.) My friend is able to touch, hug and kiss most of the cats in the colony. They recognize her as being the bringer of the light in their lives. They trust that she’ll be at their feeding spot everyday. Rain or shine, she is there and the cats rejoice in her love and care.
Another thing I find fascinating is that this Cat Colony is located in a rural county area. The cats are surrounded by acres of green fields and wooded areas that could lead to unimaginable discovery. Yet everyday, these (wild) cats run to greet my friend as she refills their feeding bowls under their special tree. Even with acres of land at these cats disposal, they willingly return to my friend everyday. Why? Simply put, she fills them. She feeds their bodies and little cat souls.
I remember a neighbor’s comment to me as a young child. I was attempting to feed a stray sniffing around my backyard. My neighbor’s voice boomed through the summer air, “Don’t feed that stray or it will never go away!” I jumped back with fear and let my (almost) friend pass by. I remember being sad over this experience for days to come. Somehow, even then, I knew it was wrong to turn away one of God’s creatures.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35 (ESV)
I find that the majority of people that come to the doors of my little urban church can be classified into two categories: Stray Cats and Scarlet Letters. The Strays are hungering to be fed in the Lord and the Scarlet Letters want a place to feel accepted and loved.
In these times of hardship, we may have strays sniffing around our church doors. We may experience a social outcast looking for redemption and forgiveness. How will we answer their call? Will we show them the love of Christ? Will we welcome them into our family of Christ? Will we feed them? If we do…they just might stay!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Who Do We Serve
Who Do We Serve?
I recently encountered opposition from a clergy friend over helping a known drug addict. This struggling soul came to me for food, and I gladly gave him supplies from the church food pantry. My wayward friend also needed clothes. I had nothing in his size, so I contacted a neighboring church and asked for help. I was sadly turned away, because the man I was helping has been known to panhandle in the community.
“But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him?” 1 John 3:17
Anyone who knows me probably thinks this is the part of the article where I complain about the utter hypocrisy of a “Christian” church refusing to help the poor. To be sure, when this incident first happened three weeks ago, I was very angry. In the spirit of ecumenical partnership, however, I refrained from telling this neighboring church pastor (of a non-UCC church) what I thought of his refusal to help someone in need.
“Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.” Proverbs 14:31
After having had some time to reflect, I realized the real problem is more than a simple refusal to help. This pastor is not a bad man. His church helps many families and holds several large outreach events each year. Indeed, in this pastor’s church, nothing is planned without his approval. This proves that the spirit of caring for the less fortunate is definitely within the soul of this man. Yet, he still refused to help. Why?
As an outreach coordinator, I have watched our resources shrink significantly. In this stagnant economy, it is simply hard to find resources to help the people we serve. I believe, therefore, that what I really witnessed several weeks ago in that church pastor’s refusal to help had less to do with refusing to dispense and more to do with seeking to preserve the resources that he had. He still wants to help, but he has now come to the conclusion that he needs to decide who is most deserving of his church’s resources. Surely, a struggling widow working two jobs to make ends meet is more deserving than an unemployed drug addicted. Right?
Friends, this kind of thinking is such a slippery slope. Do we really have the option to choose whom we help? The Bible contains more than three hundred verses on the poor, social justice, and God's deep concern for both. In not one of these verses does God give us a means to measure the validity of a person’s cry for help. I believe that no such criterion is provided because it is not our responsibility to judge the merit of another’s need. During this Christmas season, many will flock to our churches seeking our help. If we have the resources that they need, it is our Christian duty to give them freely. It is not our job to judge the lives of those who ask for our help, but it is our calling to show them the gracious love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
I recently encountered opposition from a clergy friend over helping a known drug addict. This struggling soul came to me for food, and I gladly gave him supplies from the church food pantry. My wayward friend also needed clothes. I had nothing in his size, so I contacted a neighboring church and asked for help. I was sadly turned away, because the man I was helping has been known to panhandle in the community.
“But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him?” 1 John 3:17
Anyone who knows me probably thinks this is the part of the article where I complain about the utter hypocrisy of a “Christian” church refusing to help the poor. To be sure, when this incident first happened three weeks ago, I was very angry. In the spirit of ecumenical partnership, however, I refrained from telling this neighboring church pastor (of a non-UCC church) what I thought of his refusal to help someone in need.
“Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.” Proverbs 14:31
After having had some time to reflect, I realized the real problem is more than a simple refusal to help. This pastor is not a bad man. His church helps many families and holds several large outreach events each year. Indeed, in this pastor’s church, nothing is planned without his approval. This proves that the spirit of caring for the less fortunate is definitely within the soul of this man. Yet, he still refused to help. Why?
As an outreach coordinator, I have watched our resources shrink significantly. In this stagnant economy, it is simply hard to find resources to help the people we serve. I believe, therefore, that what I really witnessed several weeks ago in that church pastor’s refusal to help had less to do with refusing to dispense and more to do with seeking to preserve the resources that he had. He still wants to help, but he has now come to the conclusion that he needs to decide who is most deserving of his church’s resources. Surely, a struggling widow working two jobs to make ends meet is more deserving than an unemployed drug addicted. Right?
Friends, this kind of thinking is such a slippery slope. Do we really have the option to choose whom we help? The Bible contains more than three hundred verses on the poor, social justice, and God's deep concern for both. In not one of these verses does God give us a means to measure the validity of a person’s cry for help. I believe that no such criterion is provided because it is not our responsibility to judge the merit of another’s need. During this Christmas season, many will flock to our churches seeking our help. If we have the resources that they need, it is our Christian duty to give them freely. It is not our job to judge the lives of those who ask for our help, but it is our calling to show them the gracious love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
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