Part thirteen of our new Missions Matter Series, come back each week to find out more about serving those around your home and community as well as around the world. God has given us the power to be His witnesses! Start today…
By Heather Radu-
Loving junk food is easy, isn’t it? In America any supermarket or gas station is sure to have an unbelievable selection of junk, usually wrapped up in a brightly colored package. When we were children those treats were nearly irresistible, weren’t they? Crunchy chips and sticky, sweet candy bars were like treasures.
In comparison to junk food healthy food can seem pretty unappealing, at least at first. If you are a junk food junkie, you have to train your body (and your taste buds) to prefer the good stuff. Once you do, though, you will feel healthier, and you will be able to appreciate a wider variety of flavors. In other words, you will be better off in the long run.
Living out the gospel also requires us to make some choices that leave a bad taste in our mouths. For instance, did you realize that following the gospel requires us to cultivate a willingness to be wronged? Think about what Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:39-42.
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Jesus does not tell us to strike back or defend our rights. Instead, he said to give, and to be even more generous than the one who is doing wrong to us expects. That is not popular advice!
When you are ministering to the poor, you will be taken advantage of. You will be wronged. Greedy people will come along to take what they should not have, but when that happens you should be encouraged. That means you are doing something right. Continue to serve those people (but make sure those who are truly in need are being served as well). It could be that your generosity—your willingness to be wronged—will finally show them where they are going wrong. After all, that is exactly what Jesus did for us!