I don’t pretend to understand drug abuse. I don’t pretend to understand alcohol abuse. What I do know very well is that it is easier to show love and forgiveness to someone dealing with these issues if they are not your own family. Praying for someone who has not hurt you personally is much easier than praying for the one who broke your heart, injured your child or spit in the face of your trust.
Being in ministry puts you smack dab in the middle of situations that are both foreign and uncomfortable. I was called to jury duty one time and as I entered the courtroom I was shocked to see that the alleged victim of sexual abuse in the case was one of my Sunday School students. My mind whirled with what ifs and how could I not have known. My heart instantly leaked out of my eyes. My stomach spun and my mouth went dry. There is a lot of darkness all around us every day that we don’t know about. Kindness is a small act with a huge impact to wounded people. Luke 6: 32-35 reads, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
Now I understand maybe being kind to the unthankful but to the wicked? If I am to be a representative of Christ, I will need to take on His mind. He promised to help me do what I cannot do. I have found Him to be faithful in his promise.
Comments