For the week before Advent, I thought I’d post some music. For the opportunity to reflect and lead us into a journey to Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation, of preparing for God to come in human form, into the world, our lives and our hearts. Are we ready? Prepared?
Sheep and Goats
Such apparent similarities between sheep and goats. In one field, not always easy to tell apart. Yet the differences are there, and are significant.
31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. 32 The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.
33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created.35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”
37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”
40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”
41 Then the king will say to those on his left, “Get away from me! You are under God’s curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink.43 I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.”
44 Then the people will ask, “Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?”
45 The king will say to them, “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me.”
46 Then Jesus said, “Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life.”
It wasn’t me,
I didn’t do anything much,
just what anyone would do,
just caring for my neighbour,
the starnger,
the outcast.
Making sure they were
fed,
watered,
welcomed,
clothed,
cared for
and knew they were loved.
I don’t deserve any praise
or special treatment.
It wasn’t me.
I didn’t do anything wrong.
I have my own concerns
to worry about and care for.
I didn’t even see you Lord,
you know I would have stopped if I did.
And there are so many needs,
how would I know where to start?
What do do
How to make a difference?
There are so many others with more time and resources.
It isn’t my responsibility.
(And besides which,
I’m busy doing “church work”)
And Jesus said,
Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me
And Jesus said,
Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me
Lord,
forgive me when I get caught up
in myself
and my own issues;
when I miss the need all around me,
or feel overwhelmed
or impotent
in the face of it.
Help me
to see you
in the face of every person.
May that inform
how I respond
and react.
Lord,
Make me a sheep,
not a goat
I’ve heard all about you. Words that I’m never sure are terrifying or heart-warming. Does my reputation precede me? Am I notorious? Or has someone actually been telling someone else nice things about me? Maybe I shouldn’t feel so guilty! But it a serious thought. If someone has heard all about us, what would it be?
15 I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 16 So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.
19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20 when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. 21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well.22 God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.
Paul has heard about the Ephesians. Good things by the sound of it. The reputation that precedes them is of their faith and love. They have done well, and Paul is grateful for them and their witness.
But that doesn’t stop him continuing to pray for them, that they will continue to discover new things about God and the life of faith.
Three thoughts:
Thank you Lord,
for those who are a shining example
of how to live for you.
Forgive me
when I do not meet that standard,
help me to learn more of you
and let that effect my life.
May I never think
I know everything about you,
and stop listening
and learning,
but always be open
to what you long to teach me
Pam's Perambulation 