“On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. “‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!” Ezekiel 16:4-6
It’s not a pretty sight, us without Jesus. Ezekiel reminds us, in a rather morbid description, of our need of rescue. When we were unlovable, He loved us. When we were filthy, He cleaned us. When we were broken, He healed us. When we were entering death, He said, “Live!”
It’s the message of the gospel and a call to action for Christ followers. Who do you know who is unlovable? Love them. Who do you know who is dirty? Take care of them. Who do you know who is broken? Provide healing with words and deeds. Who do you know who stands at death’s doorstep? Speak LIFE!
These things are the hard things. They are awkward and they are uncomfortable. Often times they aren’t politically correct or accepted by the “religious”. Do them anyway. These words and deeds won’t always be well received. Do them, say them anyway. When we do these things we quite literally follow Jesus. We must not ask, “God, should I care for that orphan?”, “Should I feed the hungry?”, “God, should I show love to that widow?” or “Should I help the foreigner?” His word is explicit about these things. We are kingdom residents and our King not only requires it but He also modeled it. That’s how we know that He’ll walk with us. He’ll give us grace for the task. Mostly, it’s how we know that we’ll get to see His miracles when we choose to follow His model. Be encouraged to take action today and show the world the Hope of Jesus.
~Trisha Bowman
Christ Fellowship member
