I heard some people singing at a church prayer meeting the other night,
All for Jesus, all for Jesus,
All my being’s ransomed powers,
All my thoughts, and all my doings,
All my days, and all my hours.
and I kept wondering as I sat on the steps outside just what they meant by it. It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don’t understand. But what would Jesus do? Is that what you mean by following His steps?”
This could very well be the most uncomfortable passage I’ve read in a while, all the more disconcerting because it was written 116 years ago but carries so much significance it could have been written this morning.
I don’t know what it’s like to live in such dire circumstances that you beg God to take your children so they no longer have to suffer, but I can only imagine there are millions around the world asking for just that.
It’s Monday, and I know typically blogs at the beginning of the week are supposed to be cheery and inspiring to have the best week you’ve ever had (you know, since last week)…but on this morning, I find myself convicted. Because, even though I have a giant passion to reach people in need, there’s still a well-oiled machine of protectionism within me that is very wary of finding out exactly what lies beneath the upper crust of my community…or any community.
Yet, this simple line from In His Steps refuses to let me stay the way I am:
It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out.
Have we become so skilled at protecting our own way of life that it’s become nearly impossible to impact someone else’s? (And I’m not talking about hugging a homeless person, I’m talking about helping alter the trajectory of someone’s life.)
Are quantifiable results so vital that we don’t give unless we can measure the ultimate effect? (Store up treasures in Heaven…right, guys?)
I guess the only question left to ask is…what WOULD Jesus do?
But…I can already tell the answer will expose my selfishness, pride, and prejudice.
And that’s the most frightening thing of all.
