I still don’t know the man’s name, although we had shared pleasantries at
church for years. But this Wednesday night our paths would cross, in way I
didn’t expect. After the service, he came up and wanted to talk. He was
unemployed, like many of us were, not because we wanted to be, in 2008. Seeking
advice, and some consoling from his other church friends, he went in hope of
help, but left discouraged, and confused. They had told him he was an infidel,
worse actually, because by not having a job, he wasn’t taking care of his
family, and scripture tells us, if you don’t work, you don’t eat, and when you
don’t take care of your family, you are worse than an infidel. And he was
deeply shaken by it. Oh, Lord, what do I say? HELP!
And so I asked him if he was saved, “yes, and so was his family.” They
were strong in church, both attendance and involvement, and in this time of
uneasiness, they had all drawn closer to the Lord. They prayed together, shared
together, and he was encouraging his wife, who was having an even worse time
with it. My answer was simple, “you aren’t an infidel, you are taking care of
your family, meeting the needs spiritually, and allowing God to work in all your
lives. Your friends are giving you bad advice and misquoting scripture, for it
says if you WON”T work, and you will. You are taking good care of your family,
God is with you. Too bad your friends have an attitude like Pharisees. They
can only hope they don’t lose their jobs, and can only wish they are as blessed
as you.” Great advice, even from me, but they are God’s words. With so many
still un or underemployed, there would be a lot more infidels based on their
criteria. Thankfully God knows better, and we know. The smile and bounce in
his step as we parted assured me that the words came from the spirit and weren’t
my own. I’m just not that smart.
It is down to just me and Gabe at the Pantry, where we give out
donated clothes to the homeless, downtrodden, and the needy. In an alley off
15th between Market and Island, we have set up a shop, where they can shop for
clothes, for free. We are able to counsel, pray, encourage, and see God meeting
needs the three days a week we are open. And with many looking for work, we can
be overwhelmed by requests for jobs. But God has shown His grace to and through
us. One man showed me resume, and I helped him interview, gave him confidence,
and he got the job. After we prayed. Yesterday two other men blessed us with
the news they just got jobs. One a wild looking younger guy, was picking out
some nice clothes, he was hired as a cashier. He was excited, and wanted to
look nice so he could do his best. God was meeting a need through us and those
who donated the clothes. The other man’s story blessed us even more, as
sometimes we wonder “are we making a difference? Does anyone really care?” But
his excitement and enthusiasm was contagious. He had just gotten work, and
wanted to thank us. He told us it was because he had gotten some nice clothes
from us, that he didn’t feel ashamed when he interviewed. Being dressed nice
improved his attitude, gave him confidence, and it showed as he got the job.
Can I hear an AMEN! A simple thing like clean clothes, fresh socks, and vote of
confidence from God had made all the difference. And again God showed me why He
has given me Matthew 25 as a scripture to minister. When Jesus asks the church
“where were you when I was naked, hungry, lonely, thirsty, and without hope,
where were you?” they didn’t have an answer. And Matthew 25 has given us the
incentive, vision, and strength to carry on. And not only to be blessed, but to
bless others. To love, care, and show compassion, for but for the grace of God
may go I. And so you could never compensate me for the time I put in
voluntarily, you could never meet the blessings we see from Jesus. Matthew 25
–it works.
Just before my friend Lee died a few years ago, I asked him if he was
afraid to die. We were alone, and we needed to talk. He told me “no, not at
all.” But he was worried who would take care of Suzi, his wife when he was
gone. When I asked him “who was taking care of her now?” a huge smile lit up
that Lee face of his. He knew...the same God that was taking him through this
situation, and had taken care of them for years would not abandon her after his
death. If that smile could talk, it would make a great sermon, but words would
only lessen the impact. For Jesus is that personal, and should be. He takes us
through the tough times, and when we walk through that valley of the shadow of
death, He is with us. Never leaving our side, really having gone ahead and
blazed a trail, making sure it was safe. For life can be like that-aren’t you
glad Jesus isn’t?
So to all my fellow infidels, who may be out of work, out money, out of
food, or naked or in jail. Jesus hasn’t forgotten you, in fact you are at the
top of His list. He is waiting for you to call on Him so He can provide. And
in the times you don’t realize He is, He was. Don’t be led astray by some
Pharisee who really is wretched on the inside. Money may buy a fine dog, but
only love will make it wag its tail. And that love is Jesus. So don’t be
concerned that you aren’t doing enough, just do what He asks. Be part of the
blessing, and be blessed. It works in church, and in an alley in the Hood. It
works in prison cells, and even while riding. It is individual and for
families. It is infinite, yet personal. Some call it religion, we know
better. We call it Jesus. An encouragement to all my infidel friends. We
should all be so blessed.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com