Matthew 7:13- " Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who will go by it...... Narrow is the gate.... which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it."
" When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a Shepard separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come you who are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, ' Truly, I say to you, as you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Matthew 25
" It is not enough to say that you love God and hate your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor in whom you do see. You must realize that love has to hurt. You must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and do good to them." .... a talk from Mother Teresa in 1994
Image if we saw everyone- we came in contact with - as the very presence of Jesus? Would we go out of our way for that person? Would we be kinder? Would we be careful about the words we choose? Would we welcome them into our home? I can see it now....... I would have to fake it........trying to be honest!
If it were Jesus.... I would fall at his feet! I would welcome him in and treat him like royalty!
OK...... So when Jesus says in Matthew- " Whatever you did unto one of the least of these, you did unto me."
Does this mean that we need to treat EVERYONE like we would treat JESUS?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been convicted of this concept this past week. I don't treat everyone like I should. My patience is short, and my attitude is well I can even put into words what I should say about that..... I'm not a Pollyanna by any means. I need to be... I want to be.... I don't want to one day be separated from my Lord, because I didn't go that extra mile, or even one foot...... I am ashamed.
Truthfully, It is easier for me to be kind to a stranger, than my own family or friends or even the people I come in contact with daily- ie.. neighbors, co-workers, my kids friends.... It is so easy for me to want to CHOOSE their friends..... Picking out the Normal ones..... Who is really normal anyway? The friends that I welcome in my home, the ones that others accept.... What am I teaching my kids when I want them to sweep " the least of these" under the rug and pick the " cool kids" " athletic kids".
I want to go hide and I definitely don't want to admit this to you on a blog. I am trying to be honest- so others will maybe learn from my mistakes. Our treasures are not in this world. It is simple... We or should I say " I" need to understand that- I am here on earth to be an example for Christ- to show others his love through me which is " flesh" just dirt !
I pray today that God will use me to show others the Love of Christ! to Mold me- Shape me- Use me- in his image.
Use me Lord,
Amy
