To be sure, there is quite a bit of excitement on the part of most these days. Last November's election results will be realized when President Elect Barak Obama takes the oath of office on January 20th. Today being January 19th, many are observing the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well. Regardless of your political affiliation, preferred candidate or views on life, this is a significant day in the lives of Americans and world citizens alike.
The day is made more significant by the fact that the President Elect has called for a day of service on this national holiday. It is worthy of note that so many have responded to the call to think and perform beyond their own needs and interest and look to that of others. Surely this an acknowledgement of King's legacy, the needs of the many, the efforts of those whose life work it is to assist and that inherent tendency in us all to reach out to those in need.
These should not be uncharted waters for the Christian. We should both understand and behave according to our greatest commandments; love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and love our neighbors as ourselves, Matt 22:37-39. I am also put in mind of the biblically derived "Golden Rule" found in Matt 7:21. It is likely that we all at one time or another have known need rather than mere want. If so, it is just as likely that the desire to have that need met by a compassionate heart closely followed. Should we not be proactive, inspired at least in part by the thought that, "there, but for the grace of God go I?"
As it was for our Savior, we who call upon his mighty name are in the "need meeting" business, despite our sometimes questionable performance. We are called upon to put the needs of others over our own (Rom 15:1), lend a helping hand (Gal 6:2), render aid (Luke 10:30-36) and to do good to all men (Gal 6:10). Clearly this is not an exhaustive list of our responsibilities to our fellow man, but is indicative of the mindset we should maintain.
What is a day of service to some should be a life of service to Christians. God has promised to honor such love and obedience. Let us create opportunities to enrich the lives of others even as ours have been enriched by Him.
Strengthening Our Faith
