1 Corinthians 10:23-33

The world needs God desperately.  People stumble over each other because they cannot see. They are going in the wrong direction.  People think they have found true peace and happiness but just around the next curve they plunge down an overhang.

Out there the world needs God’s light so that they may see where they are going. But who will bring them the light?  Many churches have become detached and distant, providing no light to the world.  This is not the duty of others – this is our duty. Every child of God is called to bring the light to a dark world. For those who do not know Him, God has to become visible through the way we live. Paul says:  31… do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory.

At the time of her death in 1997, Mother Teresa and her organization, Missionaries of Charity, managed 610 missionary stations in 123 countries.  These include hospices and homes for people with AIDS, leprosy, TB, orphanages, schools, feeding actions, child-and family counseling programs and personal aides. More than 4 000 nuns were involved and more than one million donors supplied funds.

One petite woman who wanted to show the world what God looks like.

I’m not saying that you have to sell everything and take over Mother Theresa’s role in India. If each of us only becomes a small Mother Theresa where we live, work and play, the world will look much different.  We need to learn how to show people what God looks like. In our everyday life, people with whom we get in contact should see God in the way we behave.

A lady at our church tells of her involvement in an organization at the university helping the poorest of the poor.  People who arrive, walk tail between the legs looking for help. However, the volunteers address them as sir or madam.  This small act of respect gives them a little dignity and a ray of sun breaks into their dark world.

Because of one person treating them with respect they see a piece of God and this helps them to change the way they see themselves – something as small as respect.

If you want to make God visible, start with the people around you.  Think of the needs of the other person.  Always look for opportunities to do kind things. Be sensitive not to hurt others. Let us try to be like Paul: 33 At the same time, don’t be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren’t as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone’s feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.

A pastor once said that it is not necessary for a lion to have a name-plate around his neck saying: “I am a lion”. No, we all know exactly what a lion looks like and what it is capable of. In the same way it should not be necessary for a Christian to carry a name-plate saying: “I am a Christian”.  It should be visible through our deeds.

We all have a special calling.  We have to make God visible to the world.  People must be able to see God through the way we act. If only we all can achieve this today!

Reflection

Do others see God through you?

Where do you have to think of others first?

How can you make God visible to the world?

Prayer

Thank you, Father, that I may once again understand my calling. It is a big responsibility and often I am not capable of it. Grant me the ability to think of others first and to look for opportunities where I may make You visible through my deeds.  Amen