Sometimes we hide behind Jesus because we just want to give quick answers and move on. It's hard to walk and suffer with someone else. It's hard to stick by them and help them listen, learn and decipher a tough situation.
Rob Bell in a recent sermon said, “And sometimes someone says if you just follow Jesus, He will tell you the right thing to do. Sometimes following Jesus means that things just got way, way more complicated. I think that we do each other a great disservice when we aren’t honest. I would even use the term ‘moral ambiguity.’ Sometimes it is not black and white. It’s 113 shades of grey. And it’s not because we compromised or refused to take a stand. It’s not because we rejected the truths of the Bible. It’s because we have actually started to take them seriously.”
Wow, I wonder how many times I have passed someone in need and the only thing that I have done is say some ambiguous phrase about Jesus. Many times we don't really want to get in the mess of other people's lives. We want to say something to placate our desire to feel loving without really showing love to the other person. Our "act" of kindness is nothing more than a selfish gesture to appease our own sense of guilt.
While Jesus is the answer, sometimes the best way we can help others discover Jesus is to just sit there and be with a person in need. Many times we don't have to say a word. The gift of our presence and the warm embrace of a friend can bring peace to a weary soul.
Lord, help me to do more than just talk about You. Let me be Your vessel to help hurting people. May I feel what they feel and know Your love for them. Change my heart that I will desire to sit in silence with friends in pain. May I learn how to be at peace in saying nothing. Give me Your strength and wisdom. May I discover the joy of the gift of presence. Amen!
