Spend Yourself

Who is this robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." . . . For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. -God, Isaiah 63:1b-2, 4-5

There is a lot of injustice in this world. There is a lot of pain and suffering and maltreatment of individuals who are often judged as not worthy of help or love. God loves justice (Isaiah 61:8) and wants us to pursue it and not be apathetic (not caring).

Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood . . . and if you spend yourself in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land . . . then you will find your joy in the Lord. Isaiah 59:6-7, 10-11b 14

God has put the homeless on my mind lately. Walking home from church the other day, I saw a man walking that I thought might be homeless. I thought about inviting him home for lunch, but this thought did not translate into any action. I ended up at home defrosting some hamburger and praying. I began thinking about what God would want me to do for this person and became scared of the risks it might involve. What if this person stole from me or hurt me? What if they had no place to sleep that night, I couldn't turn them out of my house into -30 weather, but what would my roommates think if a homeless man was sleeping in our living room? What if he never left and ended up living with us?! I have a a pretty fast thought train!

It was then that I realized that I didn't even know if this man I had seen was actually homeless and I was getting ahead of myself. I began thinking about possibly picking up the man and taking him out for lunch, but not to my home. I felt much more comfortable with this. I think part of that comfort was because it would not affect me as personally as bringing him into my home would. This prayer and thought experience really got me thinking about how willing I am to get personally involved in the struggle of others who are treated unjustly, looked down on by others, or are in pain. I was so concerned with what others would think of my action, like my roommates.

And the second [greatest command] is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:38

God asks us to treat others in the way we would want to be loved if we were in their situation. Other people might think it was weird of me to invite this homeless men to my house for lunch, but what would the hungry homeless man think? .What would the kid being pushed around in the halls think love would look like? What would the murdered children in other countries think love looks like? God is really pressing on my heart - How much are you, Amber, willing to suffer to love others and work with me in bringing justice to the world? Am I willing to spend myself on behalf of the hungry? Wow . . . It is something that I think we need to take time to seriously reflect on, and then act on! God promises to provide all our needs when we use what we have to help those is need. (Isaiah 58:11) I've personally experienced this again and again and again with financial and physical needs. God is asking more of me now, He doesn't just want to use my money to help others. He wants to use my life, my love, my time, my emotions, my strength and energy; He wants to use everything he gave me.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I gain NOTHING. 1 Cor. 13:3

Let's LOVE one another,
amber