People Need Your Time
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. -- James 4:17
Sometimes we know exactly what we’re supposed to do. And we don’t do it. We may feel a little guilty. We may lash out in justification. We may clam up and refuse to talk about it. But we know.
Today is the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Do you remember the horror of that day? Do you remember how people clung to each other, vowing to remember the lessons and always put people first?
Time dulls our pain, especially for those not directly impacted by loss that day. We forget that putting people first means giving of our time when we’d much rather just give a little money.
Lately I’ve been recruiting volunteers to help people in need. I’m really not asking for much, just an hour or so every four to six weeks. Most folks spend more time than that in front of the television every night. It’s amazing how many people squirm, look away, and just don’t step up.
I realize that actively helping others just isn’t something others feel comfortable doing. I do understand that. I also know that few things are as rewarding as reaching out to people in need.
Many months ago I started a group at our church designed to help those we tend to forget. We don’t mean to. It’s just that when people can no longer attend church, either because they’re too sick, too feeble, or they are caregivers, then we don’t remember them. It’s usually a slow thing that happens. Nothing intentional at all. But it hurts just the same.
People associate the church -- God’s people and NOT the building -- as representing Jesus here on earth. As it should be because He does live in the hearts of all Christians. So when we neglect people in their darkest hours they feel like God has forgotten them. He hasn’t. We have. But when you’re hurting it’s really hard to distinguish between the two.
We know what we’re supposed to do. We know. We just don’t want to. And that is a sin.
How many of you just got huffy with me? How many just stiffened into your defensive posture? Well, I’m talking to you.
Life’s moments are measured by the lives that we touch. Not the big things, though those can be important to. But in the small things we do for each other: the casserole taken to a sick neighbor, the ride to a doctor’s appointment for an elderly friend, a couple of hours of childcare for a mother in desperate need of some alone time.
What is God calling you to do today? What are you waiting for?
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