As we rapidly approach our departure date for
our 2013 Go & Serve Mission trip to Los Angeles, CA, I think it is only
appropriate that we take a moment to reflect upon why we do mission in the
first place. If we do not take this opportunity to examine our motives
then we cannot hope to perform our tasks to the best of our abilities and let
God's love shine through our work!
Please take a few minutes to watch the video at this link, read the following passage, and meditate on what this says to you about why we do mission.
Matthew 25:34-40 states, “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, 36 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."
To me, the combination of this Video with this clip is profound. In Matthew Jesus states, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." As I think about this statement again, being one that I have read and heard many times, something jumped out at me that I have never examined before. This new revelation is that if Jesus can consider each and every person as His brother or sister, then why can't I?
The story of Ronald Davis is one that I hope brings tears to your eyes or at least a pain to your heart. When he states, "I am a human being first," it is such a powerful statement! It reminds us that we focus too much on the situation or the circumstance and not on the person. Jesus was person focused, not situation focused. So as we anticipate and prepare for our departure, think about how on this mission trip you can serve the person, not the situation. As you think about this, here are some questions to answer that might help guide you in your meditation:
1. How would you feel if you
were in Ronald's situation and someone walked by and called you a bum?
2. How would you react?
3. Have you ever treated
someone in this way? Why
God Bless!
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