Learn—and Show—Real Concern

June 18, 2019

From today’s reading…

I say this not by way of command,

but to test the genuineness of your love

by your concern for others.”

Self-proclaimed concerned person: “But Wes, I have great concern for others. Just last night I spent three hours debating a bunch of idiots on what we can do about the homeless in our area and I outlined three really, really, really, really, really good ideas that could probably help at least 2.5% to 3.2%, but they wouldn’t listen because they don’t care.”

Me: “Wow. Amazing. You clearly have great concern for the homeless among us, don’t you?”

SPCP: “Why, yes, I do.” [Pats self on back while taking a selfie and live-streaming.]

Me: “When’s the last time you volunteered at the local soup kitchen or homeless shelter or contacted your city/county/state/federal representatives about this issue, which is of great concern to you?”

SPCP: [Breaks eye contact and slouches while fidgeting with iPhone.] “Well…ahhh…it’s hard to find a sitter…and…ahhh…I don’t really know the best place to start…or which government department I should contact…and…ahhh…got any big plans this summer? How was your Father’s Day?”

Paul reminds us today in 2 Cor 8 that despite the great afflictions and poverty thrust upon the churches of Macedonia, they were abundant in joy and demonstrated a “wealth of generosity.”

Your “dis-ease” with yourself and your current situation manifests itself as a personal disease that makes you caustic, ineffective, and attractive only to a dwindling few who happen to hate what you hate today, but tomorrow they’ll hate you for hating a different topic they love because “haters gonna hate.”

It’s time you allow your genuine love and concern for others to spring forth because it’s the only way to…

Stay the course.Keep the faith.Endure.