Why is he mediocre?

In the past few blogs I mentioned some of the struggles Christians have which make us more like the "Mediocre Samaritan" than the "Good Samaritan". It is key that we understand what is holding us back from doing the things God commands. I thought we could try to look into the life of the Mediocre Samaratin to find out what could be holding him back. Likely we are struggling with the same things.

I think the Mediocre Samaritan, let's call him Sam for short, might be struggling with understanding what the command means or how to live it out (love your neighbor as yourself). Compassion ministry is not always easy to put into practice. Sam could easily be questioning how much of of his time and resources he should give?

I mean, how much free time and should we have? Should I ever take a beach vacation while others are without a place to live? Should I ever spend money on unnecessary things (pez dispensers, eating at Outback, unleavened bread, etc.) while other people are going hungry? Where do we draw the line? Is there a line to be drawn?

Fear can also play a part. Sam could be afraid that he is being taken advantage of by the guy lying on the road. I mean what if he got himself into this mess? Maybe he was afraid he wouldn't know how to comfort him. He isn't particularly good at that kind of thing. Maybe he was afraid that he could get hurt by the same group that left this guy for dead.

It can be scary to step out of our comfort zone. Most middle class white folk don't feel comfortable going into poor black communities to minister. We also have the thought people could be out to take advantage of us. We are skeptical, fearful that we won't do the right thing.

Selfishness prohibits most of us from compassion. Sam could easily have had somewhere else to be. Commitments he needed to keep. This guy would slow him down, then once he was better this guy would want to be his pal. That's all Sam needed. One more shmuck to keep up with who would likely need or want something else later down the road.

We are reluctant to give up our free time. Who wants to be helping the elderly lady with yard work when you could be playing disk golf (sorry Ronnie)? Why would I want to give money to the family at church trying to adopt when I need that money to buy new clothes? I don't want to invite that family over for dinner, they are "different" and it would be awkward.

Apathy. Maybe Sam just didn't want to think about it or think it was necessary. The problem is too big and besides he serves in the children's ministry. Compassion is not for him.

What other ways may be holding you back?

understanding compassion

In my last blog, I began the argument that compassion is not optional. Although, I doubt that many of you would have argued with me on that point, I think we fail to live it out to the extent which we are called. Christians don't have a stellar reputation for loving their neighbor.

You may say that you love your neighbor and likely you do to a degree. But I think we don't truly understand the meaning of compassion. If we did, we would see that we fall well short of the mark. There is much to learn if we want to overwhelm our communities with compassion like the early church.

So, it's not necessarily a lack of desire to follow the command of Jesus, but a lack of understanding the command. I hope to share with you what I am learning about the meaning of compassion. Check back.

Compassion: Who's responsibility is it?

I recently read a good definition for compassion ministry: " To be witnesses of the gospel by opening our hearts to the suffering of another person coupled with the desire and action to relieve it." So who's job is it to do compassion ministry?

Is it ok to say that compassion ministry is not for me? I mean, after, all I'm not cut out for that sort of thing. It just doesn't come NATURAL. Aren't there special roles in the church for those with the gifts and talent for them? It's obvious that not all people are cut out to be worship leaders (just watch American idol). Not all of us have been given the gift of teaching/preaching. So can compassion ministry be delegated to those with the gift and heart for it?

Keller says in his book, Ministries of Mercy, "Mercy to the full range of human needs is such an essential mark of being a Christian that it can be used as a test of true faith. Mercy is not optional or an addition to being a Christian. Rather, a life poured out in deeds of mercy is the inevitable sign of true faith."

I happen to agree with Timothy Keller. Mercy/compassion is not optional for Christians. It's not a role for SOME in the church, but ALL in the church. We are ALL commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. It may be difficult to do, and it's ok to say that compassion doesn't come naturally...it comes supernaturally. All Christians are being transformed and sanctified through the power that God provides.

The poor and needy are a test; a test I often fail. If you are like me and fail in this area ( I think we all do), pray earnestly that God would give you the ability to love your neighbor. Only by God's strength can we do what He has called us to do.

A Pez Movie

This is a clip from a full length movie on Pez collectors. What's sad is that I know what they are talking about.

Dave

Ministries of Mercy

I've been reading a book entitled "Ministries of Mercy" by Presbyterian pastor Timothy Keller. I haven't been able to put it down, which is unusual for me. I have this bad habit of "reading" 5 or 6 books at a time. I'll get through the first couple chapters of a book and then find another one that catches my attention. I'll read a couple of chapters from that book and then find another, and so on, and so on. The cycle continues until I finally get back to the original book. By the time that happens, it has been so long, I have to start back at the beginning of the book.

Dr. Keller covers why we are called to be merciful, what mercy should look like, who we should show mercy to, and why we should be motivated to do it. It is challenging and practical. I think it is an excellent resource for all Christians, especially those who want to be involved in mercy ministry. Soon I'll be sharing my insights, but right now I got to get back to the book.

Dave

Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Part 2

Now dear Christians, you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine, made over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like Him in giving. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor.

Objection: But my money is my own. Answer: Could Christ not have said, “My blood, body, and life are My own” and then where would you have been.

Objection: The poor are undeserving. Answer: Christ might have said “I will only give to the deserving.”

Objection: If I give charity to the poor, they might abuse it!” Answer: Christ might have said the same but with far greater truth. He knew many would trample His blood and make His grace an excuse for sinning more, but still He gave His own blood.

My dear Christian, if you would be like Christ, give much, give often and freely to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy, and so will you be. It is not your money He wants, but your happiness

-Robert Murray M'Cheyne

I'll share my thoughts on this and other things in the coming days.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Part 1

Some thoughts from a Scottish theologian... More to come.

"I fear there are some Christians among us to whom Christ cannot say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Your haughty dwellings arise among thousands who have scarcely fire to warm themselves at and have but little clothing to keep out the biting frost. You heave a sigh perhaps at a distance, but you do not visit them.

My dear friend, I am concerned for the poor, but much more for you. I don’t know what Christ will say to you on the great day. You seem to be Christians, yet you don’t care for His poor. What a change will pass upon you as you enter the gates of heaven. You will be saved but that will be all. There will be no abundant entrance for you. He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.

And I fear that there may be many hearing me who know that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally requires a new heart. An old heart would rather part with its lifeblood than its money. So friends, enjoy your money, make the most of it, for you will be paupers throughout eternity."

-Robert Murray M'Cheyne

The Virus

Well, it is finally nearing an end, at least in the Roberts' home. For over a week our family and friends have been passing around and stuggling through a horendous stomach virus. In the Roberts' home, it started with Zach "spitting" on Friday night, all night. Then he decided he would share it with his mother. Angie fortunately has the stomach of steel, so she neither "spit" nor had diarrhea, she just had a significant upset stomach and loss of appetite.

On Sunday night we thought everyone was starting to feel a little better. We were getting ready to settle everyone into bed and get some rest when Angie yelled out "He's throwing up." I thought she meant Zach, but no, it was Sam. The virus lived on and another sleepless night was on the way. I stayed home on Monday to tend to Angie and the kids.

Tuesday came and I continued to feel well. I felt confident that I had avoided the plaque. Angie wasn't so convinced. She was concerned I was going to catch this monster and end up in the ER as I had a couple times before. (I tend to get violently sick when stomach bugs hit). I drove to Paris to begin my day in the OR. Angie asked her mom to come and help with the kids so she could catch up on rest (found out this morning she is sick).

Around 2:30, while I was scrubed into a case, I began to feel faint and nauseated. After taking some jabs about being the student who's going to pass out in surgery, I stepped out and found the nearest bathroom. I'll spare you the details.Anyway I drove myself home and remained in bed until 11:00 the next morning. I took Phenergan, Immodium, and Tylenol every chance I could.

By Wednesday, I felt much better but still didn't have much of an appetite. Angie and the kids were doing fairly well. Then came Friday night. We thought it was over, then it reared it's ugly head once more. While driving home from the Bustrum's, Sam yacks all over himself while in his carseat. Fortunatly that was the one and only time for the evening.

Now it's Saturday. All is well...so far.