DAY 20: Caring

What Does God Ask Us To Do?

Micah 6:[1-5] 6-8  and Proverbs 14:31

…and what does the Lord require of you…


According to a 1999 survey, 68% of Americans agreed with this statement: "As one of the world's richest nations, the United States has a moral responsibility toward poor nations to help them develop economically and improve their people's lives." For these 68% of people asked, "moral responsibility" is the best reason for the United States to help other nations; more important than other reasons or motives we sometimes use to justify foreign aid, relief assistance, or intervention.

Perhaps the 68% of people who responded positively to that statement have read Micah 6:8. Micah tells us that doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God are what the Lord requires of us. Those things are not just good ideas or things to do if you have extra time or money on your hands, they are requirements for being faithful believers and followers of Christ.

We know that we have been saved by God's grace alone and that nothing we do or do not do can influence God's love for us. But we also know that the path of discipleship and servanthood is a difficult one. For Jesus, it led to the cross. For us, the path leads to justice, kindness, and a humble walk with our God. It's not a path that everyone easily agrees upon or chooses to follow.


If we all agree that acts of justice and kindness are a necessary part of being of a disciple and follower of Jesus, then why do we all find it so difficult?


Prayer:
God of justice and kindness, fill me with the humility of a true disciple and inspire me to live a life that glorifies you. Amen


Action step:
Send e-mail to President Bush (president@whitehouse.gov) or your member of Congress. Encourage them to support increased spending on non-military foreign aid that will help to alleviate hunger and health problems around the world. For more information on specific programs that need your support, go to the website of the ELCA Washington Office.
 

contributed by Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash