Monday, February 18, 2013

Love in the Days of "I'll Pray for You"


(A note- I'm writing this a few days after seeing the sign, because the first few drafts in my head were incapable of showing any love towards these people. And writing those words would kinda kill the entire point... Lesson: When you get all ticked off, breath until you can be loving.)

I recently drove by a sign at a local business that said:
Need Help? We'll pray for you

It is outside a local business that claims to follow Jesus pretty loudly on all their signage. And that is fine, I guess. The proclaiming of beliefs in 500 font, I mean. This particular portion of their "advertising" is not fine. It says things to the community about who God is that aren't true, and about how these people follow Jesus. This sign makes me incredibly sad because these people are missing out on a full half of what it means to follow Jesus.

I want to ask them, "Do you..
Remember when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is? He responded with "Love God and love others." 
Remember that other time when Jesus said if you feed the hungry and clothe the naked, you are actually feeding and clothing God? 
And remember all those times when Jesus had compassion on people who were sick or blind or outcast or injured or that big, hungry crowd he was teaching?" 

Jesus said love others. We can pray for them, but we are far better off praying for them as we help them find a job or a house or to feed their family. 

One of my favorite quotes about God's love comes from a little book called the "Greatest Thing in the World" by Henry Drummond, a 19th century evangelist. It reads:
"Where love is, God is. He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God. God is Love. Therefore love. Without distinction, without calculation, without procrastination, love."

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