I love to see people showing the love of Christ to others who are hurting. I was reminded of this unique gift fellow Christians give to others when I read recently one of the distinctions between Muslims and Christians in our society. I know it’s an oversimplification, but an important distinction, I think, as we look at current world tensions and the grief society is feeling right now.
As we know, Christians have blessed the world with charitable causes in the name of Christ. This article asked how many hospitals have been dedicated in the name of Allah. How many charities like disaster aid, shelters for abused women, adoption agencies for children, humanitarian aid etc. have been founded because of the love Christians show others? Compare these to the number of Muslim ones.
I know this is a generalization, but it is an apparent obvious difference.
By contrast, our congregation of Christians in Palm Bay, Florida has been doing some pretty unbelievable acts of kindness lately. Perhaps this list will brighten your day, because I believe following Christ’s example, we have been accomplishing things in the Name of Christ which are pretty special, not for personal gain, but just because it’s the right thing to do.
One of our members donated a kidney to another member suffering from kidney failure! Teams of women provide meals for families with new babies, for the elderly, for the sick, and for families in crisis. One family has received meals three times a week for a year and a half. Today a group of us will clean up a vacant house owned by one family in the church who planned to sell it. Instead, it will become a home for another family losing its home. What an unbelievable blessing. Our mercy team pays bills for people in financial difficulty. Our men, called Ironmen, provide free labor to widows and seniors who need handyman care. Our bereavement committee provides a reception following memorial services and funerals.
Additionally, through our community service, we offer Roar Sports activities for kids, do service projects in the community, and support school activities for the neighborhood. Our youth groups routinely visit places to work hard to accomplish jobs which need doing in the name of Christ, and we are establishing churches in South America, Europe, India, and here at home.
This traditional Jewish blessing basket will be placed in this new home today. Here’s what it says, in the Name of Christ:
May this home be a place of happiness and health, creativity and kindness. May all who visit and live here know only blessing and peace.
Traditionally, we bring to a new home: Flour, so you shall never know hunger; Salt, so your life shall always have flavor; Sugar, so your life shall always have sweetness; Candles to bring light, welcome the Sabbath or to adorn the dinner table.
I pray that in the Name of Christ, someone will reach out to you, Dear Reader, on this day or whenever you find yourself in need of comfort, guidance, peace, and encouragement. Isn’t that true of all of us all the time?
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