Putting Ourselves In a Position to See
Jesus’ brother James wrote something that’s turning me inside out these days. “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16.
Stated another way: “If I see a need and have the ability to meet it, then I’m to help meet it.”
When I put myself in a position to see needs through relationship with poor and hurting people, then I do see daily and constant needs. Up close and personal. One after another. And the truth is, I’ve yet to find a situation where I can honestly say in my heart, “I have no ability to help.”
In my life, given where I’ve been born, what I’ve been given, and the great blessings extended to me and my family, I’m facing a life altering question.
The question is not: “Do I have the ability to help meet needs of hurting people?”
The question is: “Will I release my self-protective façade to get close to hurting people, such that I’m willing to see their needs?”
That is the space where sight leads to – requires – faith. And that scares me.
