No one ever injured his eyesight by looking on the bright side.
"The cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15
A wise old minister once told me that the secret to being an effective pastor is to just show up. Each Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Time after time. Showing up creates responsibility and responsibility creates familiarity and familiarity creates comfort. People feel comfort when they know that the pastor will be preaching even though they may have missed the last three Sundays.
When someone is sick, just showing up means the world to them. It shows that you care and that you're there for them. You may not be able to do anything, but you can sit there and hold their hand. Showing up for someone who's sick creates cheerfulness and cheerfulness creates hope.
Showing up for the least and the lost among us can literally change their lives. Being there to hand out a warm bowl of soup to a person who hasn't had a hot meal in a week shows that you care. Building a school in a Mexican desert so that kids can learn to read and write shows that you care more for others than yourself. Showing up at the widow's home on a holiday just to say hi creates peacefulness and peacefulness creates trust.
Showing up for each other's important life events will always be remembered. The high school graduation or the birth of a baby. The wedding of a son or the death of a grandmother. Being there for each other creates kindness and kindness creates fellowship.
The old and wise pastor told me that showing up is what we call "presence." Presence is a part of nearly every Christian membership vow. When you profess a faith in Christ, you become a part of something that's greater than what you are. You become a part of a family. And even though sometimes we may not want to, family by definition means showing up.
In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus talks about the intent of our hearts. He told the disciples that they were taught that murder was against God's law. (Number six on the Big Ten list, in case you're wondering.) So then, if they didn't commit the physical act of murder, they thought they were alright in the eyes of God. But Jesus says hang on. You've got it all wrong. Yes, the act itself is wrong. But so is everything that led up to the act.
If you're angry with someone, then Jesus says that in God's eyes, that's just as bad.
If you insult someone (purposefully try to make someone mad), then that's just as bad as plunging the knife in the back.
If you marginalize someone by saying that they aren't as enlightened as you or aren't as blessed as you, then it's just as bad as shutting the prison cell door.
And if you seek revenge against someone, wanting to "pay them back" for what they've done to you, then that truly is a dish best served cold.
It's not just the act that's against God's will. It's everything that leads up to it.
Notice if you will, the similarities (or opposites, really) to being a part of someone's life.
If you're angry with someone, then you won't want to physically be a part of their life.
If you insult someone, then they won't want you as a part of their fellowship.
If you marginalize the least or the lost, then you can't be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
And, if you seek revenge, then mentally, you won't show up to their special occasions. (At least with good intentions.)
Our presence in other's lives is important. It's easy for us to lay around in our pajamas watching TV. But it's hard to decide to get up and go be present for someone. Being a part of the family of God.
PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. EMAIL: [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Religion on 02/15/2017