The Hole in Our Gospel

This smoldering passion surges into flames every time I study my Bible. As I recently discovered, this topic occurs over 2,000 times in the Word, distinguishing its importance. But where is it in our lives? As many times as I have endeavored to smother this flame, it continuously smolders in me. My aim for smothering this passion is because I am lost with the sincerity of some, and how to implant this lifestyle into my personal schedule. Just yesterday, as I stood on a street corner, a man walked up to the group I was mingling with, pleading for a meal, that’s all he wanted. The majority in the group naturally turned him down, but I couldn’t. I searched my empty pockets with hope for something that I could share with him… Nothing. I watched him trudge on to find someone who would help him, and my heart sank. A good friend, spotted my heartthrob, and attempted to encourage me that it was okay, that so many people do that and you never know if it’s real. But what if it is real? What if this man IS trying to find a living? What if he was successful at one point in time, but went bankrupt, and now he lives on the streets? What if he is starving? It seems as though every time someone talks about living the American dream with their Mercedes Bend, two kids, and a perfect doctor family, my mind and heart returns to the homeless and needy. We neglect the point. James 1:27 remains one example of thousands, showing that we are to support those in need, but we daily imagine living the American dream. I just began reading a book entitled The Hole in Our Gospel. Being in chapter three, the author has already addressed that we take our desired texts out of the Bible, and leave others. I’m a culprit of my own preaching. I repeatedly read texts that share the importance of helping those in need, but make up excuses for why it’s not my job to become involved with that. Unfortunately, everything didn’t change overnight, but I am trudging toward defying the odds, and acting on the importance of every text.