This weekend I went to church in the states for the first time. I do not know if I was expecting too much or what, but I was disappointed with the service. It was a Christmas eve service so the altar call was inevitable. BUT I was left high and dry. Where was the intense scripture reading that I spent four months waiting for in Uganda? Where was the deep delve into Greek meaning and Bibical cultural insight? Was this what I have been waiting for? Surely, this service was not what I had come to miss. Ashamed, I find myself questioning those who came to the altar. In suburban Illinois, what do we know of need? How can we truly understand what it is to NEED a savior and cling to his word and his principles? So often 'we' talk of coming to Christ after finding the way of the world lacking, but we never fully grasp what lack is. In other places in the world, people cling to Christ in dire need and desire to survive. But I have the audacity to come to Christ when my life is lackluster. Where does that demand faith and reliance?
I know there are people in true need in this country. I have seen them. But on whom do they rely for necessity? The government. Aid. Welfare. Where is his church? Where are his hands and feet?
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ -Matthew 25:34-45
Who are the least of these? The children 'starving in Africa'? What about the orphans living in our own cities and states? The Church of Christ has been commissioned to care for widows and orphans, but in this country of governmental reliance we have given up our commission, to a corrupt and secular power. Why? This is the area which the church can have influence and power to show the love of Christ. He came to heal the sick and be with those who needed him, not the self righteous and well educated. They saw no need for him and that disease plagues many of our countrymen to this day.
In God's provision I rest, but I ask him for things like tuition so that I can attend my private Christian college. What if I chose to take a year off and donate that money to a better cause? That money is a small fortune in Uganda. I grew up being told I was smart and since God had blessed me in that way that I should continue my education and do something noble with it. Why do I need an education that costs me so much to help me get to a place where I can serve God the best? God gave me gifts. Certainly, he can use me no matter what.
-Am I being a steward of what I have been given?
-Am I a good servant of Christ?
-Am I reaching out to others in his name?
-How can I best be an American CHRISTIAN?
May you be a blessing where you are.
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