Tim Turner

Today I was listening to a radio show. This particular show is essentially a pastor and a guest. Callers can talk to either of them and asked their questions on life, spirituality, morality, etc. and get biblical answers to said questions. I’ve come across this show many times and usually find the content thought provoking and very well founded. Today, though, I find a pair of calls that I simply can’t get past. The whole thing went a bit like this:

A woman called in and explained that she was very ill(sounded like she was feeling very weak) and had recently talked with another radio show host who apparently made a statement saying essentially that the woman’s condition was going to have happened no matter what since God can see the future. The woman then said that she was confused and just couldn’t understand that statement.  The two gentlemen replied with as good of an answer as could be expected in such an awkward situation. Obviously we can’t see the future, and they don’t have all of the information, but they were able to encourage the woman. They also mentioned some verses to read, which she then said that she could not read due to the illness afflicting her. She mentioned that she had bought some sermon dvds for her unsaved family members since she was worried about them. Finally the radio hosts encouraged her to continue listening and then prayed for her.

The next caller was a younger sounding woman who was asking about some tips on starting a street ministry. Apparently that was a hot topic for the guest speaker, and so he was more than happy to give some pointers to the young lady. Also he asked the host to send her a few sets of material(devotionals, tracks, etc.). They were obviously very excited to help her, and encourage her greatly in her future ministry.

On the surface there wasn’t much wrong with what I’d heard. Sounded just like anything else I’d expect on a talk show. The thing that keeps bugging me though is the first woman that called. This woman was obviously having problems. Called in looking for answers, and got them as far as I think possible. No one even thought(as far as I’m aware) to ask that woman if they could help. If we can hand out ministry materials for free, why can’t we send out a free audiobook version of the bible for a woman who can no longer read? I understand absolutely, that none of us is capable of being all things for all people. I understand it was not the nature of this particular show. I also understand its possible someone from the show did just the thing I’m saying. The whole encounter, though, left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Are we so concerned with getting in new believers, that we never bother to help the people we already have? Has the Church degraded down to the point that our only concern is to get people to sign the dotted line, but not lift a finger to give comfort for those who are hurting?

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy” - Proverbs 31:8-9

We, as believers, are to act as Christ did on earth. Christ was there for the needy, there for the hurting, and there for those who had fallen. Its feels as though somewhere along the way we have become so busy we don’t have time to actually help anyone. Would it really hurt to skip that morning latte and use the money to buy lunch for a friend who just lost their job? Can we be bothered to listen to that neighbor who has hit rock bottom and doesn’t know if there is any hope left?

Our faith is not a machine that gets people in the door and then leaves them out to dry. Christ told us in the great commission to:

¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20

Often times we only lo0k to verse 19 when referring to the great commission, but what about verse 20? It says to teach the new disciples. Teach people can be done a lot of different ways, but one way that is certain to teach the gospel is by word and to follow it with action.

God didn’t just chose to share His love long enough to save us. He loves us so much that He continues to be a part of our lives. He listens to us, helps us, and teaches us. When we are hurting He is there. From Him all hope and love come. Yet, we often times refuse to share the love God has given us. We have settled for the easy way out. God gives us so much love that it should overflow from us into others, but we commonly treat it like a precious metal and want to keep it all to ourselves. We should share that love with everyone we come into contact with. Allow it to pour out onto those in need, and to use it to provide who cannot provide for themselves.

At the end of the day the reason all of this has been bothering me so much is because I see myself lacking. Its so easy to help people when its convenient or when they are easy to help. Its completely different when that person is hard to love. Its great to give myself a pat on the back when I do something nice, but doing nice things and helping are completely different things. All the nice things in the world won’t help someone if they do not actually provide for their needs.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:14-21

Often times when we don’t like someone or find them undesirable we seem to forget about their humanity. That person has a story. They have hurts, tastes, and loves…just like we do. Rather than ignoring or talking bad about a person, what would happen if we swallowed our pride and helped them in their times of need? We would acknowledge their humanity, and we would affirm God’s love in our lives.

I ask of myself, and of others that next time you see someone whether you like them or not if they have a need fulfill it. Sometimes its a simple as kind words. Sometimes kind words fall short, and we actually have to do something. Be ready for action. When someone cries give them a shoulder. When someone needs home give them a bed. When someone punches you in the face give them a hug. For all you know that may be the most love anyone has ever showed them.

When I watched this video I was left with an insane desire to lace up some boots(timberlands of course), and climb a mountain. I had a huge adrenaline surge that left my heart rate going up, and my breathing slightly accelerated. It was such an irrational feeling, but I didn’t care. In the end all I wanted was adventure. Why does a minute long advertisement leave me feeling like my life is empty? It only took a short time to realize the answer seems obnoxiously simple. I’m sitting in a jail cell with the door open, and I’m too afraid to leave it.The only thing is, its not just me.

Life was never meant to be misery. I honestly do not believe God was looking forward to caffinated society, and corporate ladders when He made everything. God put in us a desire to create and explore, and yet we seem to ignore it. We make environments for ourselves where we simply live inside the box, and think inside the box. Why? Its safer in the box.

Which brings me back to what I said. Before Christ, there is only slavery to sin. Chains that cannot be broken by the strength of mankind. A taint so dark we cannot wash it out. A plague our medicine cannot cure, that always ends in death. Like I said, though, that was before Christ. We have hope. We have peace. we have freedom…but where is it? Its out the door of my cell, and I’m too afraid to go outside.

John 8:34-36

34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

I am free, but deep down inside I’m content to live life going through the motions, because I don’t know what God will ask me to do. The fear, I think, is in a lot of us. If I give it to God, if I really let go I might end up in Africa, or in a village of lepers, or on the streets. If we just go through the motions we can act like we don’t sense that there is a deeper adventure to life waiting for us. We can act like we don’t here the whisper of God in our minds telling us to get out of the box and do something amazing. We can live life a little less dangerously.

There is another verse that seems to go really well with this one:

John 10:10

10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

In 07 a gallup poll concluded that 77% of Americans hate their job(source). Its no wonder the number of people considered depressed seems to keep rising every year. We spend temendous amounts of our time at our jobs. Time we spend so that we can make money, pay bills, blow the rest on whatever(or blow it all and not pay the bills like so many), rinse, and repeat. That doesn’t sound very full.

Having a job isn’t evil, but letting it rule your life is. When was the last time we walked outside and appreciated the sunset? Have we stopped to see the leave changing, or the clouds in the sky? When did church buildings become another standard cookie cutter facility and not an great arcitectural testament to God? Why don’t we create with the skills we have? Where is the art?

Life to the full is something so far beyond what most of us live today. Life to the full is embracing the adventure that life holds, including all of the danger accociated with it.

I’m not particularly old, however I’ve lived long enough to know a few things. I do know with a certainty that resonates through my being, that life will never be as full as it will be when living for God. So often we’re terrified by what God might call us to do, but for those few that embrace it, they find that His calling is something so full they can’t contain it within themselves. They simply must share it with everyone around them. We’ve all met that person. They’re like some elusive rare creature. To see a person who is full of life is unfortunately a rare event, but when you meet that person they share their fullness with the ones they see. All people have the ability to live life to the fullest, but it will come down to a choice that will lead them in places they never imagined, so they are afraid.

If you are empty, He can make you full. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

The shackles are off. Stand up, walk out of the cell, and live your life to the fullest.