A Call to Action

*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com

Galatians 5:13, 14 says, "... But through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" There are so many Biblical references to our last Back to Basics lesson on service, but this is the one I find to be all-encompassing and thus easier to remember. Through love, we must serve one another. Our first Back to Basics lesson spoke of how much God loves us. I think it is fitting to end emphasizing how we ought to love others in turn.

Jesus said that there were two great commandments, both equally important and inseparable. They are to love the Lord, and to love others. [Mark 12:29-31]. Loving others is often the harder of the two, because a perfect God does not require our forgiveness. But we are required to forgive even when we do not wish to do so, as we learned in lessons 5 and 6. Forgiveness alone, however, is not enough. I believe, stronger than ever before, that love requires action.

Christ Himself set the example for us to follow in John 13:1-17. The Last Supper was His last time with all of His disciples before His death. In those final moments, Jesus did the unthinkable, washing the feet of His followers, a job that was assigned to lowly servants. When Peter refused, Jesus said something critical, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in Me." Flip-flopping Peter took it to mean a ceremonial cleansing, and immediately changed his tune, asking to have his hands and head cleaned as well. But that was not Jesus's purpose. He explained that He was setting a standard as their Master. As He humbled Himself in servitude, so we ought to do one another.

Following the Lord's example sows a seed in heaven, for once taking our eyes off ourselves and placing them on others. Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, who thought he would store up his bountiful harvest into barns and live off it his whole life, not knowing that night his soul would be required of him. [Luke 12:13-21] During this Christmas season, it reminds me of Mr. Scrooge, working so diligently to save every penny without investing in the eternal bank. Christ warns us to spend our efforts storing up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal [Matthew 6:19-21] (see Absolutes). The more I think about that verse, the more practical it becomes. Focusing on myself is costly:
- I spend money on expensive toys and quick pleasures.
- I spend time working for the money for those toys and pleasures.
- I spend effort trying to secure those toys and pleasures, worrying constantly.
Why not invest in something that cannot be stolen or destroyed? That saves me effort and money, and saves me from worrying. I used to argue that I hadn't the time to spend helping in soup kitchens or counseling an acquaintance, but I have found that time multiplies when you're doing God's will by establishing His kingdom on earth.

Tony Campolo argues convincingly that when we do God's will, we should see a reflection of God's kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. His kingdom is vividly described in Isaiah 65:17-25. If we're not seeing the kingdom of God, and we're not doing something about it, then can we say we are doing God's will? I'll give an example. Verse 22 of that chapter says that the people of that kingdom will not build and another inhabit. That verse convicts me when I think of migrant workers who make a living (if you can even call it that) off of infrequent construction jobs, building up homes worth hundreds of thousands, while they live as nomads.

This is not a social commentary, because I am tired of commenting. This is a call to action. The people of God spend a lot of time talking about problems and not enough time doing something. You may think the problems of this world are so large that one person, one day cannot make a difference. I'm reminded of the story of a boy who saw thousands of starfish washed ashore, and futilely threw them back one by one. Some passerby told him he'll never be able to make a difference; there were just too many fish. But the boy picked up one starfish, and after tossing it into the ocean he said, "Made a difference to that one."

You can make a difference; you just have to start. Stop sitting down at your computer and do something. Even extending a cup of cold water to the glory of God has its reward [Matthew 10:42]. It's never too late and no action is too small. But action is necessary.

I have spent over two years now writing devotionals for Strong Christian Women, encouraging them to a deeper relationship with their Creator. I still feel that is important. But now I feel God is calling me to be more than a woman of the Word. I need to be a woman of my word. I cannot expect those of you who have faithfully followed these devotional series to do something I have not done myself. God is calling me to take a leave of absence for some time, to resign as a commentator and start a life of action. I know not for how long, but when God calls me back to this group, He will have laid a foundation of experiences from which I can instruct. Until then, be the women who God has called you to be. Be courageous and do not back down. Be strong Christian women.

God bless,
Alisha