"Least of These...."

It's been a while since I've written, but something is stirring in me this morning and I can not shake it.  I have been thinking about practical Christianity and walking out what I say I believe.  It seems I have become self-absorbed and selfish in my faith.  That's not a pity, false humility statement - it is true confession......how do I know?  I have been comparing my life activities to what the Word of God has to say and I've come up short!

Here's what I've been discovering and what has really hit home with me lately - we can talk about God and church, we can have deep theological conversations or we become "too heavenly minded to be any earthly good" (a quote from my 25 year old).  However, when I look around me I see that those I'm having the conversations with are "full/fat" on the Word already and it is becoming gluttony - while we have people all around us that are being ignored.  I think the reason is this:  these are the people we are comfortable with.  They don't challenge our faith, they don't look different or act different, they aren't "out of our comfort zone".

I just want to get on my rooftop and shout - WAKE UP CHRISTIANS!!!!  Stop ignoring the unsaved, the unlovable, the undiscipled, the lost and the hopeless!!!!  Come out of your private circles and church clicks and see those around you that need all this knowledge and revelation and wisdom that you have!!!!! 

I know I sound like I am ranting and maybe I am, but honestly, I am heartbroken to realize what I have started to become - complacent, comfortable, haughty, arrogant and blind to those around me that are needing the Jesus that has changed my life and made me whole.   I'm being challenged. I am being confronted by the Spirit of God.  I am willing to change and live life outside of my comfort zone if it means that I am doing the will of God and being His hands and His feet.  So, if you are willing and you want to change, let's do it together; however, if you just want what you have and you are comfortable where you are and with who you are with - I'll see you around.  I'm done with complacent Christianity and so called "church".  There are people who need Jesus and I have to go get them and love them and reach out to them - starting today!

Here's my prayer for you and for me:  Father, forgive me!  Forgive my blindness, my conceit, my selfishness.  Remove the blinders from my eyes.  Help me to see those around me.  Help me to recognize those in need.  Help me to be Jesus with skin.  I surrender my life for the one you have chosen for me.  I give myself away, so you can use me.  I ask you to bring those that have been ignored, abused, considered less than into my path.  I ask you to help me to minister Jesus to them in a very practical way so they will see that you love them.  Help me to lead them to you!  

If you think I'm over reacting or just being dramatic, here's a thought - read the scripture for yourself and see what Jesus has to say about it.  After all, he's the ultimate authority.......

Matthew 25:31-46

The Message (MSG)

The Sheep and the Goats

 ^31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

 ^34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

   I was hungry and you fed me,
   I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
   I was homeless and you gave me a room,
   I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
   I was sick and you stopped to visit,
   I was in prison and you came to me.'

 ^37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

 ^41-43"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—

   I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
   I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
   I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
   I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
   Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

 ⁴⁴"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'

 ⁴⁵"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'

 ⁴⁶