Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Got Mercy in Your Bowels?

Bode was your driver, he drove you everywhere, sometimes took your friend to places and sometimes, he drove your kids and family members around. He worked with you for about two years and he never once changed his slippers. Yeah, he changed it once, someday you were going for an occasion and you thought it would be a disgrace to have someone like that seen in association with you.

Tola lives in your neighbourhood, she is of school age but she doesn't go to school. 'Why do some people just waste their lives'? You say and then move on to your daily activities. Everytime you see her, you keep wondering, can't she go to school already or find something to do with her life? You shrug.

Your housemaid has been living with you for some months and still wears the same clothes she brought from the village a few months back. Oh and everytime you remember to tell her she is stinking and her clothes are too dirty. You scream at her for having improper behaviour. She continues working with you, and her life never gets any improvement, she has no education and you can't even let her learn a trade...hmmm.

Remember how your parents strugled and paid your way through school, when you graduated, they heaved a sigh of relief. You live in the city now, you have a good job, a comfortable life, well you're not the best among your peers yet but you can afford your three meals and some excesses. Your parents hardly hear from you and when you give them anything, it's because the guilt has almost eaten you up. I shudder.

Your gateman keeps opening your gate, and you don't even know what's going on with him. He looks perpetually sad but you never notice, you're too much in a hurry to go out and come in anyway. Why bother with someone who can't find something better to do with his life?

It's an endless list of things we notice but refuse to notice or more like our lives are too busy to notice. We go on about our lives, it's all about me, myself and I. So long as I'm fine and my immediate family is doing well, glory to God, we can sleep at night.

Do you know what the bible calls true religion? You who goes to church every Sunday but refuses to be a blessing to anyone around you. Trust me, there's someone around you who needs you, who needs something you have. Please, go read James chapter 1, true religion is in caring for the widows, helping the helpless.

I remember Jesus saying how He would cast out people because when he was hungry, thirsty or needed help, they refused to help Him. They'd ask when was this, and He would say, when you didn't do it to any of your brothers, well you didn't do it to me. And He would openly welcome those who have helped out a neighbour, given them a drink, fed the hungry, visited the prisoners, he would welcome them because they did it for Him.

When you can help your brother or sister out, why not do it, instead of praying hypocritical prayers that God should help them solve their problems when the answers lie with you. What good is throwing away your leftovers when your neighbour (not necessarily someone living in your house) is hungry and can't even afford a meal? How rich is your life when no one wakes up in the morning and is able to thank God for you? It doesn't have to be huge but your life needs to be a blessing or it's wasting.

Do you remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man? I bet I don't need to recount it. The bible encourages us to do good to those around us especially those who are in the household of faith.

Don't shut your bowels of mercy. When you see that hungry guy, be nice, that thirsty guy, be nice, you never know when God is testing you and sending an angel your way. And even if it's not an angel, don't you have a thrill when you do something great for someone and they're too blessed they don't know what to say? Selah

PS: This post was inspired by the message my pastor preached on Sunday. I'm still working at it myself!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I AM FURSTTTT!!!

Anonymous said...

I AM FURSTTTT!!!

Anonymous said...

GOSH!! Our PASTOR is like the BEST pastor in the WHOLE world men. She just tells you the truth. I mean that is what this whole walk with God is about. I once told a friend (special friend) that the best way to bring people to God is to be compassionate. No need to yell at them that they are going to hell, if they get to see Gods awesomeness through you. They will come to him on their own. I miss church and I will so try to make it this sunday. Have a LOVELY day big sis. XOXOXOXOXOXO

Writefreak said...

You this girl...you want to clog my comment box? lol...yep she;s an amazing woman! Definitely compassion is the way to go...if you can't show me you care, then you can have your religion! capish!

Chiamaka said...

true, sometimes Christians forget love, which is like the essence of christianity and concentrate on going to church, or offerings, or just outward appearances

chayomao said...

Sometimes we forget that our actions show who we truly are!
It's not all about the church going but about what manifests after the church going!
Mehn, i'm wise...lol

Enkay said...

Have you ever tried to help someone and they dragged your good intentions in the gutter?

Ever stopped to help a lady with a flat tire only for you to realise - too late - that it was a ploy to rob you?

There are so many stories out there that could discourage one from showing another some kindness, yet, in the midst of all this, God's desire is for us to not shut our bowels of mercy.

Thanks WF. I'll be looking more closely from now on.

Michael Horvath said...

I love this post, and the comments you received so far. I think tolerance of others is high on the list as well.

Writefreak said...

Haveyouanywool: God searches the heart...and he does not look at the outward.

Chayoma: lol..yeah i agree you're wise! true talk

Enkay: i know what you mean, i wanted to include that in my post actually. Truth is there are so many conmen and stuff out there but you see, we can't let that stop us from being the blessings we're meant to be. And when you ask God to open your eyes to see who to bless, you'll be surprised and trust me, He'll watch out for you.

MilesPerHour: Yes i agree we should be tolerant of others.

Anonymous said...

Among the first entry of yours that I read was about how (I think it was) your gateman who came to you with his financial woes (in fact didn't he follow you into the house or something?) and you gave him some money. Then I think he repeated this behaviour?

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that you are a very generous person, WF, and I often see you opening your home, wallet or belongings to others around you. I think even though you are still "working at it", you are really living the Christian walk.

Kudos to you, my friend. You inspire me to be less selfish and more giving.

Tigeress said...

This is one of my favourite posts from you. Nice one! xxxx

Writefreak said...

Awwww GNG, you wanna make me cry? I was here wondering if I'm even qualified to write this post.

Tigeress: Awww thanks..how're you?

downtheaisle said...

Writefreak, very thoughtful of u. Many times, I am baffled what the future holds for housemaids, and a couple of times I have posed the question to their bosses.

Again, I am quick to add, most times after you have done so much for them, they still stab u at the back. People have loads of stories to tell.

Well I made up my mind a long time ago, there was no support staff that will pass through me, that won't have something valuable to part no matter hw little, even if they had to work for a day.

aloted said...

Preach it! Deep words

God loves a cheerful giver...

For the love of me said...

I am happy your pastor is preaching on love and mercy and stuff which is what Christ stressed on. I often say that if we truly practice what is in the synoptic gospels, before we are done, Jesus would have come.

NoLimit said...

Wow!!! These are deep words indeed!!!
I trembled while reading it and quickly scanned my life to know how guilty I am!!!
I'm a work in progress myself...may God help us all...
Very thoughtful post...we can't afford to stop doing good no matter how horrible the world is.

Vera Ezimora said...

Good stuff!! Boy, there's so much we all need 2 work on. God help us.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, but, i daresay we are so 'consumed' we actually exhibit a carefree attitude (or disposition) to these things; and eventually, it becomes normal to us.

A present 'word'.

Anonymous said...

oh by the way I soooo agree with GNG.
I remember the day with the cleaner, u know the girl, and you took the time to ask her future plans. I remember that I was super impressed. I think I fell in love with u (hehehehehehe, sisterly love of course). Gosh I AM HUNGRY!

Giagerry said...

wel sed..
very beautiful post hun!

Rita said...

I like the way you wrote this...
When I first saw the statement "true religion is in caring for the widows, helping the helpless..." I was so glad to know it is written in the bible explicitly...

Thank you for this post and I know you practice what you "preach". God bless you.

~Sirius~ said...

Sometimes we never really know the pain the next person is going through, until we find ourselves in the same situation (God forbid)

But as He is merciful to us- we have to pass this on the best possible way.

Lovely post.

Original Mgbeke said...

Wow, this one really made me think. Like you said, there is so much that we need to work on. I definitely need to be more aware of my surroundings and who I can assist on a daily basis. Thanks WF!

Joy Akut said...

deep....and so true.

theres a satisfaction u get from knowing u've done something good for someone.
if only we knew the blessings released on us when we bless others...

Buttercup said...

Wow..food for thought..

Naijagirl said...

there are soo many truths in this one post. Nice post, me likey.