this was originally found here.
i actually heard a song on Christian radio that spoke something to me last week, it talked about pretending not to see the homeless guy on the street for the 21st time that day. this man (or woman, or child) is everywhere ... and we don't see him. i'm a welfare worker and i don't always see him. i'm looking for him but i don't really know what to do to help him. it's a complex issue.
is my response simply to be merciful? does that mean i should be emptying my pockets of change for him or should i walk with him to the shelter? maybe both? is that enough?
i'm not trying nor could i ever be the voice of God inside your head and my own confusion on the issue doesnt instill much confidence for what i'm supposed to do, but i want to be merciful.
i'm as willing as the "next" Christian to be friendly to the poor that comes across my path, but is that enough? some argue that showing respect for the man standing in front of you is all that person desires but what of the bigger picture? what of the traps and barriers in his life that keeps him in the same cycles?
i don't know, i just don't know.
open my eyes. help me see the Invisible man. you don't have to go to Calcutta or the pool of Siloam to find someone who needs you.
open your eyes and respect who you see, whatever that means to you then act on that.
Posts
1 comment:
It's not an easy question to answer, and each of us will probably have a different answer. In fact, we will have different answers for each person, perhaps each time we are out walking on the street.
Sometimes I give. Sometimes I talk and listen. Sometimes I walk by on the other side.
Showing respect is very important. Stopping and acknowledging a guys presence is a good thing. But no, it probably isn't enough. Giving in some fashion ($$, food, etc.) is good, but maybe isn't enough. Maybe it isn't enough until we start talking/fighting for justice and mercy. Maybe it isn't enough until it actually changes us.
I don't know either. I think I talk the walk more than I walk it.
But anything is still better than nothing.
Post a Comment