Bending Over Backward (#148 of 365+)

“They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’…
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:2-3, 6-7)

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah that people needed to become personally involved in helping others—to the point of risking their rights, sharing their food, opening their homes, and giving the shirt off their backs. Why was God more interested in those particular actions than the act of fasting for a day? Because he knew when the cost was high and they began to relate to other’s needs… to sympathize… to become emotionally involved… only then would it become a genuine action. He wasn’t interested in religious exercises or outward signs of devotion. He wanted people to serve from the heart.

I sat through an episode of that SuperNanny show a couple of weeks ago. The nanny watched a stay-at-home mother of three (or four?) little children do all those thankless daily tasks—everything that went into keeping her kids healthy and keeping the home sparkling clean. But that woman was wearing thin fast. She argued with her husband a lot and she used a similar rough tone when she corrected the kids. In fact, it seemed she never used soft tones or positive reinforcement at all. She didn’t hug or kiss the kids. When it was play time she locked them in the backyard so she could vacuum the house. The children appeared to be fine, physically, and the house looked great—so at first glance she seemed to be doing an awesome job of balancing all her duties—but her marriage was suffering and her children were beginning to behave badly. The cameras recorded them jumping up and down on the furniture at home and at grandma’s house. The mother felt like she was bending over backwards for her family but somehow it wasn’t enough. She was at her wits end trying to figure out what more she needed to do. The nanny had the answer: Simply going through the motions and finishing the daily “to-do” list is not what motherhood requires. A mother is the squishy center of the home. What her family needed most was her love. She had to slow down, take all the time that was necessary, and do things from her heart.

In much the same way, Jesus calls believers to slow down, take time, and do things from the heart. The bible says Christ is the head and the Church is his body (Colossians 1:18). Lately I’ve heard people say that believers are Christ's hands and feet. So we’re not meant to sit idly by and just wait for his return while there are so many lost souls and so much suffering in this world. There’s a job for every one of us to do! But, as we go about doing good works and “bending over backward” for others, let’s not forget to do it with the mind of Christ and a heart filled with the Holy Spirit.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit” (Matthew 25:34-36)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21)

“Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted” (Ephesians 4:30 MSG)

Father, I have a feeling this world has only seen a glimpse of your love in Jesus Christ. Thank you for creating us for relationships, both with you and with each other. The loving relationships are what make life deeply satisfying… I pray that you’ll make me bold, willing to take risks and not count the cost, when it comes to serving and loving others. Give me your heart when I find it difficult to love someone. May it bring honor to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.