Friday, October 12, 2012

Reach Out Like Jesus

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

-- Matthew 14:15-16

We’re really quick to point out what someone else needs to do. We’re not so quick to step up and do it ourselves.

A few months ago several people mentioned a woman plagued with multiple health issues. Our church delivers meals one night a week to the homebound and she had ended up on the list. She isn’t a church member but she is in need. Besides, she pays for her meal.

As often happens, her health issues have gotten worse. Now she requires dialysis three days a week -- but she doesn’t have transportation. Somehow that need has ended up with me.

It shouldn’t. I’ve talked with her a few times on the telephone. I don’t really know her. And goodness knows I’ve already got more than I can get done. But no one else is doing anything and she hasn’t been able to find transportation on her own.

Naturally, I’ve stepped on a few toes. We’ve got a transportation committee within the church. Or so I was told. I called a couple of members. No one was available or seemed inclined to help find someone else.

There’s also a committee that deals with outreach and such things. Fine. I’ll be glad to have them take care of her needs. Oh. No. There’s no one who could do that sort of thing.

So here we are again. People want credit for doing good without actually doing anything. And somebody else’s problem isn’t their concern. Especially if they don’t know the person. Especially if the person isn’t a member of the church. And especially if it isn’t anybody important.

But, you see, she is important. To Jesus. To me. To all those who understand that she is one of the least of these that Jesus referred to when He told us what to do. She needs help, not from some nameless person who might emerge to take over but from those of us who see a need and try to be Jesus for her.

She told me the other night that she’d about lost hope. Her burdens are so great and she is so alone. Why are we here if not to meet her where she is and help her as we can? It’s what Jesus would do. And it’s what we should do.

So stop crumbling and complaining. Stop worrying about committees and assignments and who’s a member or not. When you see a need, don’t pass it off to someone else when you can help. You do it. You be Jesus’ hands and feet.