Our Sunday school class for high schoolers had a great discussion about the Syrian refugee crisis yesterday, and I wanted to share part of it here.
This issue makes me think of my favorite "trainer speech" (I think it is #87 in my rolodex of motivational rants to hopefully inspire a group of tired athletes especially in bad weather).
It goes like this…"Anyone can workout, or train, or go for a run, or focus on a goal when the kids are fed; the bills are paid; it is 72 degrees outside, and you have all the time in the world. The people that live it push through when they don't feel great; they get out of bed early when it is pouring rain; find time when there is no time; they ignore the excuses in their head, dig deep, and make it happen."
Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…"
The Syrian refugee issue take those words to a new level. Feeding the hungry feels good and safe when you go serve in a local food pantry for a few hours, then return to your cozy home and normal life. Our church has a program called "Room In The Inn" that invites strangers (homeless) into our church for a warm night's sleep and food during the winter. It is a fantastic program (don't misunderstand my point), but if we just serve for a few hours or even spend the night, then check that commandment off the list and get on with our lives, are we really living what Jesus said?
The bar has been raised and now these words and "loving our neighbor" appears risky, even dangerous. Anyone can love when it is safe and doesn't step on our toes too much. But if loving our neighbor is hard, can we still live it? To what degree are you willing to dig deep and actually do what Jesus said?
Live with Strength,
Jason
