GIVE US EYES

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Lord Jesus, you who willed to become poor, give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor; help us recognize you in them -- in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, and their misfortune.

Enkindle within our Vincentian Family unity, simplicity, humility, and the fire of love that burned in St. Vincent de Paul.

Strengthen us, so that faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate you and serve you in the person of the poor, and may one day be united with you and them in your Kingdom.  Amen.

One of the “fun” parts of being involved with the work of the JEREMIAH TREE (https://www.facebook.com/JeremiahTreeXenia) is that I get to partner with people of different faith backgrounds and practices.  Such was the case last night.  Erynn (our new intern) and I shared the “Tree’s” vision and mission with a lovely and faithful group from Mary Help of Christians and their St. Vincent de Paul Society in Fairborn, Ohio.

Lovely lovely people!

And after the usual introductions and pleasantries they opened this business session with prayer, one of which I provided at the start of today’s DISPATCH.

I just love some of the elements of this little prayer.

…give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor; help us recognize you in them -- in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, and their misfortune.

Reminded me immediately of this passage.

Matthew 25:35-36

For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.

Jesus most certainly had a heart for the down-trodden.  It is the heart of the “Tree” to serve, minister and empower them as well. Clearly it is this group's passion as well.  But what I love about this little line from the Vincentian prayer is it expresses a desire for GOD to give us EYES and HEART directed to those in need.

A couple Saturday’s ago we had our first ever Jeremiah Tree Banquet and asked our new friend Mike Yankowski, an author who was intentionally homeless for 5 months, (http://www.undertheoverpass.com) to share with our guests.  One of the things he observed during his intentional journey into homelessness was that as a homeless man he was mostly “ignored”.  Christians and non-Christians alike would rarely acknowledge him in his homeless state; choosing to mostly “avert their eyes” so to keep him invisible.

That is why the prayer of this little society inspired me so much last night.  

They wish to “see” the challenges of others and respond; willing to ask GOD to help them do that, fulfilling the 2^nd most important commandment along the way.

Matthew 22:37-39

King James Version (KJV)

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

I want eyes that see like that! Do you?

It is remarkable how quickly and easily the body of Christ can come together when we are “obeying” these callings and commands.  Suddenly our differences fall to the wayside and our similarities and heart to help unite.

My charge to you today is to have a similar heart and eyes to those my new and dear colleagues of this little society of St Vincent de Paul have today.  

Look around.  

Be cognizant of those in need around you.  Offer a prayer or better yet a cold cup of water in Jesus name to those you intersect.  

Ask GOD to help (you) recognize (Christ) in them and serve in a way that honors Him.

Pray for the eyes to see. 

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney