"41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Surprisingly, devil has angels too. Somehow the term 'angel' has come to symbolize what is good and innocent, at least in the English language. How are we so deceived by it, that angels could be evil too. Although I think in the original text, 'angel' simply means 'messenger'. But translated to 'angel' it can become misleading that it almost always is perceived in the positive, unless referring to the fallen angel. Anyway, just an observation.
Secondly, not meaningn to be pessimistic, but more so to be watchful, to note how severe the punishment could be to neglect our brethren in need; to the point of everlasting punishment. Therefore, let us not look lightly upon our members in need. Do not turn our eyes away when we see something, do not turn our ears away when we hear something, do not turn our heart away when we feel something. Most important of all, do not think you are still young and not able to help or not in the position to help. This is when Paul's encouragement to Timothy comes in handy, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[a] in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). It is often the acts of those who we expect the least from which is felt the most. I still remember something that touched my heart the deepest...of a 6 year old little girl.
She was one of my Religious Education students, a sweet girl, has the heart of a servant, and feels a great lot more than other kids her age. She was six at the time of the incident. It was during a Spiritual Convocation (Freizeit) in Dallas Church. Dallas church is no longer a small church, each Spiritual Convocation there are at least 150 people who would attend. I was assigned to do dishes during dinner for Sabbath, the most people out of any day of SC. The little sister knew I was doing dishes and she look up at me and begged me saying, "Can I PLEEEEASE do dishes with you?" Any other person would think her crazy, a girl of 6 washing huge dishes for 150+ people? But at that moment I was so touched because I knew she meant it. Mind you, the dishes in Dallas church are bigger than her, 61cmx30.5cmx13cm; the sink can fit 4 of her, 46cmx50cmx46cm; and she can hardly see over the sink. She was so determined, we got her a chair and she climbed on top of it, bent over, buried her head in the sink and started scrubbing away. Needless to say, she touched many hearts that night and made many ashamed of themselves in their servitude. She certainly touched my heart and inspired other students in her class to serve the Lord with their little hands.
It is often the smallest hearts that can strikes the greatest chord. Think how the incident would be a no big deal if it was a grown up washing dishes for 150+ people, that's normal and a must. However, it is because she was only 6 that she was able to touch so many hearts. Let us not look down on ourselves thinking things are none of our business because we are still young. Take every business in Christ as your business, because you are part of the family. When others expect it from you the least, it is when you can be of the greatest comfort, help, and inspiration. May the Lord helps us
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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One incident also came into my head. My friend once asked a professor to write her a letter of recommendation and the professor did it right away, which facilitated my friend's application procedure very very much. While my friend went back to thank the professor, the professor answered with smile, "What I did is peace of cake to me, but I know that would be very very big thing to you. So, how can't I did it seriously as you need?"
This word impressed me. Actually, I do remember and thank for all you guys did on me since I met you in Germany. Those things as peace of cake things for you, actually moved me, encouraged me and strengthened me. So, thank you all! Let's do it on and on. Do the things as someone's need.
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