Least of these…

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Whatever I do for OTHERS” I’ve done for God? Am I reading that correctly?  I think so.

Ministry isn’t the building I’m currently sitting in.  It isn’t the programs I can sign up for, the classes I can take.  It’s the simple gestures that show my own heart (the little black speck of coal!) reaching out without pretense, without ‘show’ to hear and see - possibly help others.  In ANY circumstance.

I have such a history here in the walls of a Baptist church.  So many days learning the truths and beauty of scripture.  So many thoughts that still ruminate inside me to this day.  And so many hurts.  Ones that often make me wonder, regardless of God and his mercy why I put myself back in this box.

Yet here I sit.

As I’m redefining my own thoughts, needs in this community, I also see that I’m not alone in trying to understand the bitter morass of church hurt.

And instead of resting in my misery - I want to do this differently.  Maybe seek ‘lost sheep’ who have the same questions about the cosmos and also the pull toward this God that often gets a little ‘dolled up’ amidst the pretty decorations and mainstream ministry.

What would it look like for me - in every day to seek the other ‘least of these’, the lost sheep that would rather wander than walk through these doors?

Not with a dose of religion painted on my tongue, but with a reckless faith that just can’t be bound by any walls.

And please, I’m not bashing on the church.  This particular church was there for me when I couldn’t see the light from the dark inside.  They prayed for me, loved on me and accept me (I think) as I am.  Well, the parts of me they know.

I feel like God is asking me to look beyond the static place to the moving heart inside (again, the little black speck!). Ministry?  How the hell do I do that?

I’m actually terrified of the answer.  But I know it comes with where he leads.  Wherever that may be.

~ Peace

The Burtle

 - - - - -

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭35‬-‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬