Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Help me to not be okay....

Okay, the title of the blog should actually be...
 "Help me to not be okay, 
just because everything is okay with me." 

Many who know me well, know that I have a fascination with the Amish.  My husband says it is an obsession... *eye roll* 

There are many things about the Amish way of life that intrigues me.   I firmly believe that there is a lot that we can learn from them!  (Most Amish could probably stand to learn at least one very important thing from us, as well!)

One thing that I very much admire in the Amish faith, is a strong sense of community.  If you live in an area populated by Amish, you have probably witnessed a barn building, or at least the product of one.  When a member of the community has a barn that burns down, the community comes together to help in the rebuilding process.  I would be willing to bet that every person who shows up to lend a hand, has their own growing "to-do list" at home.  They have chores to do, repairs that need to be completed, and families to tend to, but they lay their own needs aside for the sake of the community. 


There are work frolics, quilting frolics, canning frolics, and much more.  All with the idea of helping one another, and carrying each others burdens.  

Acts 4:32-35 gives a wonderful description and example of community at its best.  It reads:
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
The apostles and early believers fully understood Jesus when he commanded them to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

I am truly blessed to be part of a community that is working together to become less I and more WE.  But we still have a long way to go! 
 

Nothing in this world truly belongs to us.  It all belongs to God.  We need to learn how to let go of our stuff for the sake of others, and to rely on God for our provision. 

How awesome would it be if there was no more need for Welfare, Food Stamps, CCIS, SSI, and all the other government assistance programs?  How wonderful would it be if we would willing and lovingly help God's people?  There will always be members of the community that are in need.  How incredible would it be if WE met their needs? 



Lord, please help us to see that what we have is yours.  Yours to use for your people.  Help us to be less selfish with our time, that we might be better able to love our neighbors.  Show us how to minister to each other in our times of need.  Guide us to become a little more WE and a lot less ME.  Amen.