Picking Up the Crippled Man

Yesterday was part one of our church fellowship's "Be the Church" focus. The service, in music, worship, prayers, and preaching, struck home not only with me during preparation for it and its presentation, but in a widely resounding way with many from whom I've already heard, and it isn't even a full day later.

From the band Leeland's song "Tears of the Saints," sung with absolutely amazing skill yesterday by my friend Josh:

There are tears from the saints for the lost and unsaved;
We're crying for them, "Come back home."
We're crying for them, "Come back home."
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man.
Father, we will lead them home;
Father, we will lead them home.

By Leeland Morring and Jack Mooring
© 2006 Meadowgreen Music Company
CCLI Song# 4768694

Are we stretching out our hand to pick up the crippled man, are we kicking him in the teeth, or do we even notice that he's there?

As Christ-followers, we have a two-fold mission.

First, to make sure that we have a right relationship with God, living a life that is pleasing to Him. "I'm just a sinner saved by grace," while technically accurate, should not be our focus or how we think of ourselves. Rather, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9, NLT)

The second part of our mission is summed up in that verse, too. We're called to show people the goodness of God. Not just in sharing the Gospel, but in picking up the proverbial (and literal) crippled man.

Above photo found via Google search at Camp Manatawny Alumni Association's blog

Posted in: Christianity, Interaction, People, The Church