WHAT ARE YOU IN CHARGE OF?

This morning, John had to go somewhere for a very short time. Johnathan was at a friend's house so it was Ryan, Jonei and Peter in the house. They have no school today due to the heavy rains which left other roads flooded yesterday.

When I got to the kitchen, I asked Jonei if her father has left. She thought he did so she told me "yes". Then she said "Ryan's in charge of me and I'm in charge of Peter. Peter's in charge of the teddy bear."

I thought what she said was cute and funny. But you know what? It made me think. To Jonei's mind, we are all in-charge of someone when the one truly in charge's not around. I think it clearly portrays our role as Christians. We are not only responsible for ourselves. We are responsible for others as well. Each man is our brother and each man should be our friend. That is what Jesus would want us to have for a mindset.

Everything boils down to love. If we love God, it follows that we love others as well, not only our family and friends but especially strangers -- the poor, the sick and the needy. Those were the people closest to Jesus' heart.

If you see someone starving, feed him. If they need clothes, give some of yours. For sure, you have more than enough. If they are in need, help them. If they are in grief, console them. If they need a shoulder to cry on, offer yours. 

There are many more ways that we can show our love to others. I have heard this story from someone, I just couldn't remember when. A man received a message that Jesus was going to visit him and so he was waiting. He was very excited. But it's already been a while and He has not shown up yet.

In the meantime. there was a car that broke down in front of his house. He offered them help in fixing it. Then the neighbor came to borrow his lawn mower since they have not replaced their old one and the grass badly needs cutting.  After he ate supper, his coworker called him if he can go to the hospital to drive him home. It was almost midnight when he was able to come home.

He was so tired and when he was already in bed, he was thinking why Jesus never came. Then as he was asking that, the faces of all those whom he helped earlier flashed in his mind. Then the last one was Jesus'. Now he understood. 

Jesus said "whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me." The doubt has been erased from his mind. Jesus did visit him afterall.

Brothers and sisters, everyday we wake up, we have a choice - to be responsible for others or  go about our own selfish way. What would you choose: to be in-charge of a person or to be in-charge of a teddy bear?

Heavenly Father, take away the evil thoughts in my mind. Replace them with godly ones so I may be able to serve and glorify Your holy name. Amen.

Meditation: Isaiah 1: 10, 16-20

Hear the word of the LORD,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right,
says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.
If you are willing, and obey,
you shall eat the good things of the land;
But if you refuse and resist,
the sword shall consume you:
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

--that in all things God maybe glorified