Smiling John
John seemed like he had it all together. He was the appearance of a model Christian. He was faithful, always smiling, always ready to help someone else, but inwardly he was broken and hurting.
The outward facáde elaborately created to hide the inner anguish.
The anguish was not over his salvation. It was not about whether or not God was working through all things for good. John was simply in need, and he did not know who he could trust to help him in his fragile state. He was afraid to share his burdens with the community of believers that surrounded him.
- Afraid of their judgement
- Afraid of their ridicule
- Weary of well-meaning platitudes
- Weary of being deferred to God’s future and miraculous intervention.
So John kept up his smiling appearance of being OK even though inwardly he was crying for help.
The Truth of the Matter
The story above is fiction. Or is it?
How many in our communities are desperate for help yet afraid to reveal it? How many are in need of our help yet we pass them off with a simple platitude and a reminder of God’s promises ... even while we do little to nothing for them?
People are hurting. There is great need.
We are the hands and feet of God. We have been charged with caring and helping those in need.
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:13-14).
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:9-10).
People are in need. God has called us and equipped us to meet their need.
We may well be God’s answer to “John’s need.” But to meet the need, we must first sincerely love him (or her, or them). They have to be comfortable with the truth of our love. Only then will they trust us to know their fragile state.
So may we be encouraged and reminded today:
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality" (Romans 12:9-13).
Go on! Meet John’s need!
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