Posts
I had started thinking about going to church in the morning. I knew that we would talk about what had happened, and that maybe even someone in church might have been at Big Valley and would share about what it was like. And then we would pray. We would pray that God would be in this situation, and then we would pray that God would be with those people affected.
And here's what got me: we (the people of God, the hands and feet of Jesus) would sit in our church and pray that God would be with the people at BVJ. All while sitting in our warm, comfortable church. Safely removed from the situation. But asking that God be with them. I felt like it was as if someone was having a fatal allergic reaction, and the person with the Epipen (me!) was sitting a little ways off, thinking, "yikes! I really hope someone gets that guy an Epipen". I have the Epipen, and I didn't use it. Oh, I prayed, and I do believe God does something whether or not I act. But I imagined His disappointment, thinking, "but you are capable. It is YOU who I act through. When you ask me to be with someone, it is through YOU that I do that". It's sure a good thing he's so gracious and gives us lots of chances.
I don't like conviction. But what I don't like even more, is the feeling of being able, and not doing. I don't like that I had lots of ideas (going out to pray with people, handing out coffee, helping to clean up - something!), and didn't do any of it. So I will take conviction if it helps me to act next time.
I came across this poem, and pray that God burns it on my heart:
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
2 comments:
Hey Befus,
I miss your comments on Facebook so I thought I would check out your blog and I came across this one. I have to say, you hit the hammer on the nail. We are God's hands and feet, but sometimes we just think we can sit by and pray about it instead of getting up and doing something to make a difference. I guess that old saying "actions speak louder than words" is true. I guess we just have to keep challenging ourselves to DO more then pray. Have you heard the song by Casting Crowns "If we are the body." It fits so well with your thoughts. Here are the lyrics!
"It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way
Thanks for the thoughts Janine. Glad I'm not alone in it! I do know that song, and have always liked it. It's just so "bang on". We often think we should just sit and pray. And sometimes I think God that must think, "they just don't get it sometimes". Which of course we don't. We're human. But, with the Spirit, we can actually DO some pretty cool things. Thanks for sharing. And glad you read!
Post a Comment
I like my blog to be a conversation. Share your voice.