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Separating sheep from goatsMonday, March 6, 2006
Mark 25:35-36 Jesus says, "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Like little children we could keep nothing for ourselves, we could give it all away and God would fill us up again in no time. He does it for children; he'll do it for us. And then, like magic, we'll be back in the Garden of Eden. God will be the center of things instead of self, and everything we need will come from Him. Doing these generous things part of the time is better than none of the time. I think. I do find myself caught in the paralysis of analysis, as I consider when to give my self and stuff away. And to whom, and for what ... just who deserves it after all? And how much sacrifice can I endure, how much is appropriate? What if I'm the only one giving here? That may not be fair. Can I survive if that's the case? Oh boy. Maybe I should just stop giving altogether. Those people who stop giving, Jesus calls them the goats. I could get to know the other goats; we could hang out together and talk about how smart we are. Goats are smarter than sheep, right? Sheep think less and do more. They do what Jesus tells them to do. Their minds are quiet and they don't ask questions. They get along with each other, and no one lacks for anything. That sounds pretty good; maybe I'll be a sheep after all. Monday morning again. There are just as many hungry, thirsty people this week as last. The prisons and hospitals are still full. Strangers need tender loving care as much today as yesterday. The poor we will always have with us. There's nothing wrong and everything right with giving like Jesus asks, over and over and over again. Thinking less, doing more. Like children. Thank you, Jesus, for what you give me. What you give me to give away. When I hang on to it too tight, break my grip. |
Jesus tells me to do what I can do, all the time, for anybody - without analysis or comparison or weighing my options or any of the other things I do to think myself out of acting.