The Least of These

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians:5:13-14

The River Youth have been exploring what it means to "truly love your neighbor as yourself" on Sunday nights. Its been a challenging message for both the teens and for the adults. It has really caused me to question my own motives and actions. How many times have I judged someone based on how they look or their circumstance? I ashamedly admit that I have and if we are all honest, everyone of us have done the same thing. When I see someone on the corner begging for money, why is my first reaction to question if he is really poor? When I deal with rude people at the grocery store, why do I get irritated instead of praying that God will touch them? Our neighbors are not just the parents that we share a conversation at the bus stop, or who happen to have a lawn that butts up to ours. They are the hurting, the broken, the lost, the hungry and the homeless. They are the teen mothers who struggle with the decision to keep their babies. They are the men who lost their jobs and have no where to turn except to the streets. They are the women who are worn out and tired as they go from one job to the next just to keep food on the table for their little ones. Most of all, they are the children that God cares for and KNOWS BY NAME. When we reach out to least of these, when we love the unlovable, we are serving Christ. I hope that you will walk away this week challenged to make a difference in our community and in our world. Whether that means going to Haiti to serve the people there, or that means donating shampoo or toiletries to a local mission, DO SOMETHING. When we serve in love, we are giving God the ultimate form of worship.