Wednesday, February 3, 2021
CAREFREE?
1 Cor 12:25-26
25 That there should be no schism in
the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer,
all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members
rejoice with it.
Luke 10:33-35
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his
wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him
to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he
departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take
care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again,
I will repay thee.
What would
it be like to be truly carefree? What would it be like to have no anxiety about anything or
anyone? Our first response, I think, is always wrong for we think it would be
heavenly. Upon further contemplation, however, we would discover that we love
no one but ourselves and that all our pleasant things no longer satisfy us. God
built into each one of us the capacity to care. The first man – even before Eve
– was given the task of naming all the animals and “taking care” of the
perfectly formed garden. Man without a care is not so carefree after all.
The word and
concept of “care” is different in our two portions this morning. The word used in Corinthians which
talks about mutual care of each other is the Greek word merimnao and means “to be
anxious about or to take thought.” The idea is that someone is on my mind
and that I desire them to be happy, healthy, and well looked after. Now,
imagine that there is nothing or nobody in your heart that causes you to care!
It is hard to wrap your mind around the concept, isn’t it? We care for our
spouses, our children, our friends, and a host of others. It means that we have
the capacity to love someone other than ourselves. Thank God for that!
In the story
of the Good Samaritan
the word care is the Greek word epimeleomai and means “to minister
to someone physically or practically.” This is when concern springs into
action. It is always costly! The Samaritan cared because he had
compassion. He felt the pain of another. He allowed himself to be
inconvenienced and to suffer a financial loss. It was not an investment
– it was a gift!
God gave us
the capacity to care and the energy to do something about that concern. He knows that when we minister to
others it costs us something physically, psychologically, and often
financially. However, he does not want us to be burdened down
with care. 1 Peter 5:7
invites us to “Cast all our care upon him; for he cares for us.” In this verse
the idea of care is that we are distracted. When it gets too heavy give
it to Him.
Is someone
heavily on your mind?
Pray for them! Do they have a need? Minister to them in a practical way! Is it
so heavy it is driving you to distraction? Cast it to Jesus!
Dear Lord, I care for many of my
friends and loved ones this morning. When possible, let me minister to them in
a practical way. When the burden gets too heavy please lift my load. Thank you.
AMEN
