Walking Down the Aisle of a Local Walmart---Forlorn

The frightening part of it is the drooling hate, the random raging anger---the I-don't-give-a-hoot-about-you part of it. Our Jesus said very simply and definitively we are to love our neighbor. But, so many folks out there, worldwide, are willing to hurt you, without flinching. It's as though you are merely worthless flesh to be stepped on to get someone somewhere else.

I saw it yesterday in as simple an event as walking down the aisle of a local Walmart, less deadly but just as symptomatic. The oncoming customer willing to walk straight through my physical being, shoving me, if necessary, out of the way---acting as though unaware of my presence and the whole incident. An uncaring-ness superb! What else would one expect in a society that nonchalantly ignores the killing in abortion, overlooks so easily the plight of the homeless, shows no interest in the distorted lives of many veterans? Oh, sure, listen to the hypocritical righteousness of our wonderful "liberal" brothers! Their high-sounding talk. Stare insistently into your cell phone and walk on by. Ignore the real-ness of the world. I am so guilty!

I surely know that Jesus is right . . . but, it is so herculean to love people who are so completely invested in the horrendous dung prolific in our world! He knew what He was commanding us. And He knows that we cannot live that way---that it is not within us to love that way. So, where are we?

We are lost and alone! Jesus commanded us to love others as He loved us (John 13:34). He told us that if we cannot love those we know, we cannot love Him (1 John 4:19-21). He said we should count others more significant than ourselves and should be as concerned about their interests as our own (Phil 2:3-4). He went so far as to say we should love those who misuse us---anyone can love those who love us (Matt 5:43-48). So . . . we are lost and alone. He knows we cannot love that way. Jesus, you ask too much of me!

I know that you promised to be with us . . . yet, my faith is often too small to find you nearby. Sorry. I look into the swirling fog of hate and murder . . . and I cannot find you. I pray. You said that faith the size of a mustard seed (Matt 17:20) would allow me to move a mountain. I cannot even move myself to one small good deed. I am so forlorn and faithless and weak!

I pray for strength from You, for just a shadow of faith, for a recognition of opportunities to love, for an understanding of Your will in this most sinful world. Your intercession through the Holy Spirit is all I truly have. My entire hope. And, yep, I come back to what I first recognized when I accepted You as my Lord and Savior. I have and I am nothing without You. There it is! Everything good in my life is completely dependent upon You!

That's where we are, folks. Totally and hopefully dependent upon our God. Chaos all over our own countryside. Chaos all around the globe. Love each other, pray, smile and cry, cherish family and friends, learn to have faith in a good and all-powerful Friend who does His best work behind the scenes. Be true. Be persistent. God bless! Don't despair!