Hello my dear
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, I’ve heard reflections on either side of the coin about pastoral and congregational care-giving to the vulnerable members in our communities. Some people are bubbling with joy at the ongoing care during the crisis; others are ready to quit the church. I invite us to reflect on today’s Holy Nougat for a while, as well as the accompanying devotional.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Romans 12:10 KJV
The call to kindness suggests that we are not always as loving and caring as we ought to be. And perhaps that is also natural, as there are contexts where self-love is priority, especially when facilitating the safety of the group. The miraculous feeding of the multitude, and particularly the version that offers the child as source of God’s hesed, offers a perspective that in giving we may receive far more on our investment.
In that miracle, we recall that Jesus was preaching for a while, and food was scarce. But one boy offered his lunch (or had it taken from him). His little became much – enough to feed everyone and leave leftovers. So it is with God’s hesed, that is, lovingkindness and mercy. When we receive just a little of God’s hesed; it expands and overflows. And if we share it, it could transform the spiritual hunger of our sphere. It’s an investment with long term benefits.
Albert Casing offers a perspective on the outworking of hesed in his poem offered below:
You Reap What You SowIf you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.If you plant greed, you will reap loss.If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.BUTIf you plant honesty, you will reap trust.If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.If you plant hard work, you will reap success.If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.If you plant faith, you will reap miracles
Perhaps in offering ’brotherly love’ to each other, we should consider the outcome that we desire, even when the investment of caring seems to be too much in the moment. A call, a moment of prayer, a note of encouragement just might go a long way in making even the difference we’d love to experience in these trying times. I pray us wisdom and grace as we share love with others God’s way.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
