CONFESSION OF A DISCIPLE

I may scorn the rich, condemn the powerful, and denounce the injustices of the justice system.

I find it easy to catalogue the terribly unfair habits of the influential wealthy who abuse the poor and helpless with increasing greed.

I may articulate the sins, list the crimes, describe the wrongs, define the transgressions and outline humanity’s inhumanity.

I may serve with authority, speak with sincerity and write with clarity.

My piety may be pure, my prayers profound, my voice resonate with passion.

But!

If I’ve not eased the hunger of one starving child; if I’ve not repaired one water pump, fixed one leaky roof; or treated one sick baby, or eased one toothache, or planted one small crop, or taught one basic skill, or given one drink of water, or harmonized in one hymn of praise, or;

clearly expressed one word of hope, one syllable of affirmation, one sincere declaration of forgiveness, one phrase of grace, or;

generously and happily contributed to one uncertain need, relieved the anxiety of one lonely, lost wanderer, wasted time and energy on one dreamer’s distant hope, or;

been inconvenienced, unhappy, uncomfortable, and unsatisfied with my church’s mission effort, yet continue to remain supportive and generous, or;

if I’ve not forgiven my self for my stingy, grumpiness, my preoccupation with my own solo comfort, my creation of a very tiny world, and a rarified definition of what is good and religious and, what is incorrect, and wrong, and;

if I am constantly seeking to justify and rationalize my own self-centered, self-serving definition of my expressions of God’s love for me in Christ, and;

if I am not constantly trying to learn to love actively and effectively as Jesus loved, then ----

I dare not call myself a follower of Jesus Christ.