by Dries Cronje on January 19, 2009
Consider this scenario. You are driving along the freeway, and (illegally!) sending a text message with your mobile phone at the same time. Then… as these things happen, you hit the guy in front of you. Not a big smash, but a smash.
It is rush hour, and both of you pull off to the side. There’s not much tension, since you both realize that these things happen. ID numbers, phone numbers, etc. are exchanged, and an arrangement about the accident is made. You were the party at fault, and you are going to pay the other party’s insurance excess.
Your car is not insured, but luckily the damage to your car is minimal, and you are happy to keep on driving it like that. What a bad morning! You were stupid, guilty, and even reckless not to have your car insured. Thankfully, you immediately arrange insurance for it. And… life goes on. [click to continue…]
by Dries Cronje on January 9, 2009
One of my friends and fellow followers of the Way, Pierre du Plessis, leads a community of Jesus disciples that do their best to be true to the Jesus way. See 3rd place. They have a motto (borrowed from Mother Theresa) that has always been helpful to me in remembering part of what we need to do as followers of Jesus.
They go out from their gatherings with the goal to “Feed One.” Mother Theresa said that, “If you can’t feed a hundred, then feed one.”
Simple right.
Yes. So… let’s go out and live like this. Let’s “Feed Jesus.” He says in Matthew 25 that if we feed marginalized people, it’s as good as feeding Him.
Find one person (can’t be that hard!) and feed them. If you live in Africa, where it’s really easy to find physically hungry and neglected people, then maybe feed someone by buying them food. Actually, I’m sure it isn’t that hard to find physically hungry people anywhere. If you do struggle, feed someone in another way.
Jesus suggests the hungry, but also the thirsty, homeless, shivering, sick, and imprisoned. No excuses.
Why postpone… Why not help someone today. Find marginal space, look around and “Feed Jesus.”
by Dries Cronje on January 2, 2009
Yesterday, as I was stopping at a McDonald’s drive-through, I was approached by a young man. He had clearly been in the hot, African sun for a bit too long, and looked desperate and ashamed. His voice confirmed his shame…
He told me that he and some friends were in Cape Town for new year’s eve, and they had run out of money, and now couldn’t get back home (about 80 km from Cape Town). He wanted help.
I immediately thought of about 5 (good?) reasons not to help him. The main one? They blew their money partying and now wanted some of my limited resources to get them out of trouble. A close number two would be that my resources are limited, especially at present. However, I was buying my family some McDonald’s. And… isn’t three square meals all we need to be sustained in our quest to follow Jesus? [click to continue…]
