They Turn And Walk Away

I learn so much from talking to people. In two separate conversations recently I heard the same thing. Both people have suffered. Their sufferings have taken on different forms but the sufferings are both public knowledge. Both people told me that people will see them coming and turn to walk the other way to avoid having to speak to them.

One even told me about receiving text messages from a so called concerned person, but if the two of them run into each other face to face the texter turns and walks away. Is that what caring looks like? Are we so callused as a society we only care behind the safety of our cell phones through social media.

I could not believe what they told me. I asked why. One of them commented that maybe people just do not know what to say and so they avoid being in that uncomfortable situation. This is happening to Christians by other Christians. Are you kidding me?

Why would people turn away from those suffering in need? How many suffering people walk through life alone because people turn and walk the other way? That does not reflect Jesus Christ.

For all our supposed connectedness as a society through social media, how can we ignore and blatantly reject people who are hurting, lonely, and keep them at arm's length. It is woeful sin!

Jesus walked toward hurting people. Jesus walked toward those suffering. Jesus walked toward sinners. He did not insulate Himself with upwardly mobile successful people all the time. Jesus walked toward the grieving. He walked toward the downtrodden. He walked toward the outcasts. He walked toward the brokenhearted.

If you are guilty of turning and walking away from the needy NOW  is the time to REPENT! The church should be stumbling over ourselves as we walk toward the suffering around us. If we are not doing this we are giving only lip service to being followers of Jesus. Jesus did not turn and walk away from people who needed Him most. We must follow His example.