Watch Your Plate

 
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”


Hebrews 10:24  



Watching one of those talent shows on television one contestant demonstrated their talent by spinning plates balanced on top of a pole. It’s one thing to spin a single plate atop a pole and have it remain there, but it takes talent to juggle a dozen or so plates at one time. There is an old saying, “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything” and it’s true. As followers of Christ we are called to make a stand against sin of any kind for the simple fact, “a little leaven leavens the whole loaf of bread.” Most if not all of the causes people are standing up for or in protest against are mere symptoms of a much deeper and more severe problem, and that being sin. As true followers of Christ we do well to not be baited into a battle that cant be won by the methods most are employing in their fight for justice. The battle is the Lords and the only way we can win is on our knees in prayer. Every other method is an act of futility as its like spinning plates. The more you focus on one cause the less you will on another just as meaningful cause. Who has the right to say one cause is more important than another?

Consider these causes in the world today. Each are equally important. Abortion and the right of the unborn child. Are you aware more black babies are murdered each day in America by their own mothers than all the blacks killed at the hands of rogue police officers? 3,000 babies will die today, tomorrow and the next day. An estimated 50 million innocent babies, all made in the image of God will be murdered. Where are the protests? Where is the outrage or the social media posts speaking up for those that cannot speak for themselves? It makes perfect sense why this cause is the life of many believers and has been for decades, not weeks.

While we are on the subject of babies. How about human trafficking? Are you even aware that there are over 5 million children in slavery in the Untied States today, many who will be sexually abused multiple times today. With over 40 million slaves world wide it makes sense why this cause is most important to some.

In the book of James, the half brother of Jesus says that pure and undefiled religion is to visit widows and orphans in their distress. It’s no wonder than that many wonderful believers dedicate their lives to helping the 150 million orphans around the world today, and not just the 400,000 unwanted children in the US foster care system.

What could be worse than dying of starvation or dehydration due to lack of water? To think with all the food that is discarded in America alone that there still remains over 815 million people going hungry in the world today. As you enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner today consider over 9 million people will die this year due to hunger related causes. Jesus said when we neglect hungry people we are neglecting Him. What are you doing to eradicate world hunger? Is it a priority to you? It obviously was to Jesus.
 
As Christians, there can be no greater cause than that of reaching the lost with the saving message of Jesus Christ. To think that 150,000 people will die and face judgment today. Thats almost 2 people per second. Thank God today for those committed to sharing the gospel, to the faithful men and women who dedicate each and every day of their lives to sharing the love of Jesus with others, who proclaim the saving message of the Cross everywhere they go.

The lists of people goes on and on that are marginalized by the very people who are so busy promoting their own cause and shaming the rest of the world for not getting on their bandwagon. Are you aware that in the United States alone there are well over 570,000 homeless people roaming the streets of our cites? How about the fact that there are 61,000 people with disabilities, many who are marginalized by society and feel like social outcasts.

The point is this. There are many worthy causes in this world. The important thing is to find yours and like that plate on a stick, spin it with all you have, don’t let it fall. Stay with it, give it your undivided attention and don’t worry what God has called others to support or not support. Whatever cause we choose to support we do well to heed the counsel of our Lord who reminds us…

"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

Matthew 6:1-4

I LOVE YOU!