"And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." Luke 13:30
We are all God's children, or so we are taught. Yet, we are not treated as such by people who claim to be Christians. Disclaimer: I am not bashing Christians, I am one, but yet, even if we don't speak judgment, we all judge, and the worse thing is, when we don't regret judging others, and show our judging. I am very sorry to say sometimes I'm prone to it, but I regret even thoughts of it. Someone who has a social status, race, background, etc. are different, but only different than us in that stance. We often fail to realize that while, as I said in the last sentence, we are different in that aspect, yet people judge those things beyond just those difference, stereotyping and being prejudice or racist.
So, children of God, or "that black person" or "that diabetic" or "that blind person"? The African American (I don't prefer the term "black" but I am referring to the language used by those around use), diabetic, and blind person may have different physical or race differences, but look beyond that. Something Tarzan taught me, (yes, the disney version), you remember when Tarzan is upset about not being ape-like as a kid? Kala, his ape mother, asks him what he sees that is the same, he says ears, eyes and she shows him her hands. She then asks him to close his eyes and puts his hand on his heart, asking, "What do you feel?" "My heart." That is a very in-depth look at how all creation is alike. We all have hopes, dreams, suffering, and a God who loves us, regardless of who we are and where we come from.
Lately, a lot of stories of projects done for the homeless have reached my ears and within all of them, I noticed how much rejection they get these days. Mike Yankoski today told us, when talking about Sam and his 5 month(or weeks) living homeless, how people in Quiznos and church, people seeming to be Christian ignored them, and the irony at the church the homeless director was the one at the begginning who told them to leave, and at that church one day a week homeless were allowed (or something like that)! And also, my good pals Ryan and Steven did an amazing documentary where they lived as homeless in Portland for a week, and then, hearing of their video, a local pastor asked them to come in his church secretly dressed as homeless and see how his congregation reacts. Typical thing, Ryan and Steven are rejected.
I think Ryan spoke of one kind person. Then they found out they weren't homeless, and felt shame, and shared food, and they shared their video. It would be wonderful if it hadn't been for the shame finding out they weren't homeless, and treated them poorly. They should have been shameful because of the way they were treated as homeless, what would have happened if they never found out how they weren't homeless, how they would have been treated. THE PEOPLE, MY GOOD FRIENDS, MIKE AND SAM, WERE REJECTED FROM THE CHURCH, THE HOUSE OF GOD!!! Homeless are rejected all the time, but they need God, and we should readily welcome them into the church, for they ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, EVERYONE IS!!! So what if they only come for food? They are merely trying to survive! And they need help. Yet rejection is what they get.
The church you would expect to welcome them due to Christ's teachings, for Jesus would readily accept them, why can't we? I was angered to hear Ryan tell us they were getting "You need to leave." when he told us about it at lunch or dinner. We are taught to love one another, God's children. He loves us all the same, nothing changes his love, yet why can't we love one another?
I challege you to:
1. Love everyone as Christ loves them regardless of the little things like stature, health and race.
1 Corinthians 12:13
2. To not judge one another, and get to know them before you can justify your judgment.
Romans 15:7, Matthew 7:1-6
3. Donate, get out there and fight for something that needs change, and don't be afraid, God will help.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
4. As far as what to do for homeless, my parents and my friends' video, is don't give them money, for they might use it for bad stuff, so buy them a meal, scarves, gloves, and other necessities. Serve at a food kitchen or donate to food kitchens and other such organizations that support the homeless. Talk to those on the street, let them know you care, and be polite. If they are unfriendly, it's ok to back off, but they will most likely still be affected positively even if they don't know it because you showed kindness. John 13:35
Don't be afraid to notice them. Just don't stare, or take pictures, very offensive. I don't look at them so I can't offend them. I also usually have money, or trust how they'd use it, nor have time to buy food, and I feel like crud. But I'm done not helping, and guilty of my thoughts.
Children of God... we are Children of God.
To close, here is an impactful verse and two videos/songs by Underoath (the only song with very little metal in there, yet still powerful) to prove this and many other powerful yet true messages.
''Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering plate box, and He saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed from their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uin8Cphh1U
Plus, this is really metal, but a wonderful one also is A Love So Pure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUDPo21Bdd4
I love you all my brothers and sisters in Christ,
God bless,
Kimberly Zerkel
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