Are not
five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before
God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of
more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
Life
is a challenge in a sin-tainted world. It would be wonderful if God's original
plan had materialized, but unfortunately sin came into our world and with it
came pain, imperfection, injustice, etc. God warned us of these challenges and
enables those who trust in Him to be victorious through Him.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He
cares for you. — I Peter 5:7
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever
you face trials. — James 1:2
In this world, you will have trouble. But
take heart, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33
We
must not overlook those who have challenges in this life. Jesus showed special
concern for the lame, the blind, the woman with the issue of blood, the lepers.
In our day we mustn't forget:
·
The woman in
crisis confronted with an unplanned pregnancy or abnormal embryo development
such as Down Syndrome. Some studies report that as many as 90% of couples faced
with an amniocentesis report of probable Down Syndrome will choose to abort.
Yet, do you know anyone with a Down's child that doesn't tell you that child is
the light of their life, an absolute joy, the most loving person they've ever
known?
·
The
post-abortive woman who struggles with the reality that she consented to her
baby's death.
·
The
post-abortive father who walked away from the reality of his sin.
·
The
terminally ill or aged who have been forgotten or who have outlived many of
their family and friends.
The
Disabled and the Disadvantaged
Pastor
and author Max Lucado tells in his book, The Applause of Heaven, about a
sweater that hangs in his closet. He says he seldom wears it — it's too small,
the sleeves are too short, the shoulders too tight, some of the buttons are
missing, the thread is frazzled. Logically, he says, he should throw out that
sweater since he has no use for it and will never wear it again. It simply
takes up space in his closet. That's what logic says.
But
love, he reports, won't let him. Why not? What's unusual about that sweater? To
start with, it has no label, no tag telling you "Wash in cold water."
That's because it wasn't made in a factory, produced on an assembly line as the
product of a nameless employee earning a living. Rather, it was the creation of
a devoted mother expressing her love — his mother. That sweater is unique, one
of a kind, irreplaceable. Each strand was chosen with care, each thread
selected with affection.
And
so, even though that sweater has lost all of its use, it has lost none of its
value. It is valuable not because of its function, but because of its MAKER. So
is each life.
The lonely and emotionally distraught
Jesus
said, "…to the extent that you did it to one
of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:40 Our Lord placed great value on those whom society has
shuffled aside. While on his knees, the leper begged Jesus to make him clean.
The Bible says, "Filled
with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man." Mark
1:41 We are His hands and His heart to
a desperate, searching humanity. Reach
out to those around you that you may feel the Holy Spirit leading you to
minister to.
Scripture to Claim:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave
nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. Galatians 3:28
