Have you ever wondered if you were making a difference? Has the thought of having missed the focus of Christianity ever crossed your mind? Or maybe you’ve reflected on whether or not your time has been well spent for the Kingdom? If you have, you’re not alone.
On one occasion Jesus was judged by the hypocritical Pharisees for having healed a man of dropsy—a disease characterized by an accumulation of water in the cellular tissue—and it was “on the Sabbath.” Although their condemnation was in silence, Jesus perceived such and asked, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” (Lk. 14:5) Jesus’ challenge rendered them speechless.
As the chapter continues Jesus noticed the seating and how the guests chose their own places of honor. Exposing their self-interest, He remarked, “…when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (vv. 10-11).
Then, turning His attention to the host, Jesus shared these words: “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (vv. 12-14).
In all honestly, there have been times that I’ve wondered whether or not the modern church has implemented the principle behind this passage well, or even at all. Such ponderings, however, dissipated one Saturday at our church when we hosted a Special Needs Carnival. Having nearly 50 beautiful people, physically and/or mentally challenged, along with their caregivers make their way into our church lobby was a sight to be seen. Seeing them enjoy an event tailored just for them, it was amazing. The next day one of our sisters commented, “I’ve been in church for over seventy years and I have never experienced a day like that!”
How does this relate to Forgiven Ministry and our ODWG camp? Here’s the connection: When I returned home from the carnival that day, I felt a profound sense of having fulfilled my calling as a Jesus follower. It reminded me that Jesus wasn’t merely “a friend of sinners” (Mt. 11:19); He was also an advocate for the wounded, broken, wayward, and marginalized. When the hurting and peripheral are our focus, we are doubtlessly living the Christian life on point.
That same sense of fulfillment is present in our work at Forgiven Ministry. Every time I participate in a ODWG camp I know that we have truly reflected the heart of God. At each camp, we pour into dads who are profoundly broken, caregivers who need encouragement, and children who need to know that they are loved and cherished. Truly, focused hearts do bring hope—and it’s a hope that is beyond the comprehension of this world!
You are loved!
Les
