There are times when we downplay our significance. "It won't matter if I do not attend church today..." "If I skip a month of giving, it won't make a big difference for the the church..." It is a form of self pity in some instances. In other times it is one way to excuse our behavior from the norm. I want you to know that what you do or do not do today matters!!!
A friend of mine posted this story. As I read it I could not help but chuckle. Maybe you will too!
One year, a young Ojibwe boy was given the task of ensuring the entire village had enough wood for winter. This was the first time he had been given such an honor and he wanted to do it right. Before he went to work he decided to call the weatherman to ask what kind of a winter was to be expected. The weather man told him it was going to be a warm and uneventful winter. The boy thought to himself, 'this is great. I won't have to work too hard and I'll be able to look good in front of the whole tribe.'
Just to be safe, he gathered a few of his friends and they went to work for a week. At the end of the week, after chopping and piling the wood, the boy decided to give the weatherman a second call. The weatherman told him it was going to be a very cold winter. Shocked at this sudden change and not wanting to disappoint the elders of his village, he gathered more of his friends and they went to work. For two weeks they cut and piled wood, hoping that it would be enough to last the whole winter.
Once again the boy called the weatherman and this time the weatherman told him, "Son, its going to be a very bitter, cold and long winter. Maybe the worst winter on record."
Exasperated, the boy had to ask, "What makes you say that sir?"
The weatherman replies, "The Indians are gathering wood like crazy!"
(http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/01/02/native-humor-preparing-winter-158528)
When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, it was a story showing how the actions of a seemingly non religious outsider were exemplary in what it means to love. The actions of the Good Samaritan mattered! That is why it is called the "Good" Samaritan.
Some of the greatest heroic actions that people take have been because they were doing what they knew to be right. When asked afterwards why one would do such a thing the answer would be "It was the right thing to do."
As the bitter cold sets in across our nation, let us do good. Let us know that our actions matter. Let us realize that our inaction also matters.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
In the Master's Name,
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.midweekmanna.com
www.stlukesimpson.org
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