I found it hard to look away...

Can I confess something to you...

This past week I was struggling with something I saw. It was really hard to look away.

When it caught my attention, I have to admit, I wasn't at all sure what it was or what I thought about what I saw.

My attention stayed focused on this one person so intently that I almost missed my turn into the hospital.

There he sat... shaking... almost like a seizure.

I was entranced and if they could have seen me I would probably have been embarrassed.

But there he was, sitting on the curb and looking like there was something very wrong with him.

As I slowed down to see if he needed help, he looked up, a cigarette in his mouth, typing away on the cell phone in his grasp, with a look on his face as if he'd been asked to eat glue.

He gave me a stare...

It was as if he was saying... "what's wrong with you?"

Which made me chuckle since I had just thought the same about him.

I was embarrassed and looked away...

I drove by...

Have you ever wanted to be "Christ's hands and feet" and thought, "Lord, not that one."

Now, I have to admit, these type of encounters, after serving in the jail for years, are not as intimidating for me as for others.

But, many of us ask, what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus and care for the "least of these?"

I like this from Max Lucado's book, And The Angels Were Silent...

"What is the sign of the saved?

Their scholarship?

Their willingness to go to foreign lands?

Their ability to amass an audience and preach?

Their skillful pens and hope filled volumes?

Their great miracles?

No...

The sign of the saved is their love for the least.

Those put on the right hand of God will be those who gave food to the hungry,(maybe through the local mission outreach or to a neighbor after surgery - addition mine)

...drink to the thirsty,

...warmth to the lonely,

...clothing to the naked,

...comfort to the sick and...

...friendship to the imprisoned.

Did you note how simple the works are?

Jesus doesn't say. "I was sick and you healed me ... I was lonely and you built a retirement home for me ... I was in prison and you liberated me"

...He doesn't say, "I was thirsty and you gave me spiritual counsel."

No fanfare.

No hoopla.

No media coverage.

Just good people doing good things."

The least are all around us every day.

No need to look for some underprivileged or hurting person, there are opportunities all around you.

Don't over play this, if you want to be someone who does for the least, choose one and do for that person...

The best advice I've ever heard for this dilemma is, "Do for one what you'd like to do for everyone."

Hope you're having a good Monday.