Wednesday, June 16, 2010

There's nothing sexy about Matthew 25

One of the things I am learning, specifically from my time in Kenya is that ministering to the "least of these" like Matthew 25 directs us, should not be done with stars in our eyes or rose colored glasses.

Sometimes I think we get this idea in the church that ministry to the outcast is this exotic experience. But the reality is that, it is more likely to be the most difficult/challenging thing we do. Because loving those who have for so long been told that they are unlovely, is messy. Sometimes those who have been rejected and broken and shamed and in need are embittered. Sometimes those who have been dealt a bad hand in life are filled with a selfish sense of entitlement.

The result is that sometimes ministry in this context is difficult. Sometimes it is unsuccessful. Sometimes its frustrating.

But the bottom line is that its neccessary. It's what we're called to do. It's not always fun...It's not always easy...It's not always successful...But it is always necessary. Because whatever we do to the least of those among us, we do unto Christ himself.

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