“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
I came across a quote this week that has really stuck with me since I first read it. The quote is attributed to Edmund Burke and reads, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
Generally, I consider myself an optimist, but with all that’s been going on in our state, our country and our world as of late, I find myself feeling overwhelmed by all of the problems and helpless to their solutions. However, Burke’s quote reminds me that I don’t have to have an answer to all of the world’s problems in order to make a difference.
This year, we’ve talked a lot about what it means to live with a spirit of gratitude and how living your life this way impacts not only your own world view, but the lives of those around you. When we begin each day with a grateful heart, our eyes and ears are opened to the ways in which we can bring help, comfort and encouragement to others.
If you have ever attended one of the traditional worship services at St. Luke’s, then you know that the Affirmation of Faith that we collectively recite each week states that God “works in us and others by the spirit”. How can you carry out this charge today? With the help of the Holy Spirit, whose life can you bless? When you feel a stirring in your soul to extend a hand to your fellow man, don’t dismiss it. Remember that even the smallest acts of kindness and helpfulness are significant in the lives of those who receive them.
Morgan Jones, Director of Small Group Ministries
