Submitted by Kevin Erickson on October 27, 2008 - 7:34pm.

At what point does involvement with another person become participation in the problem? As Christians, we’re called to be compassionate, to be loving, to be merciful. Jesus regularly consorted with people whom the religious leaders of his time considered unclean and contemptible -- tax collectors, prostitutes, the physically ill. Jesus said that he came to heal the sick, not to tend to those who were already well. Then again, Jesus never crossed that line into participating in the problem with those who were dis-eased. Using the analogy of the two masters, he never crossed that line into serving both God and “wealth,” into serving both God and the source of the sufferer’s suffering. The distinction between the two was always maintained by Jesus. It was always crystal clear.

Sometimes in trying to help others, I have difficulty with keeping the distinction between God and “wealth” clear. Based on my own wishes and needs, I may end up participating in and contributing to the problem instead of consistently doing God’s will. At times, it’s all too easy for me to live in a world of denial and rationalization. Before I know it, I’ve crossed the line and I’m doing my will instead of God’s will. Maybe some of you out there struggle with this also. Sometimes I just want someone I love to get better so bad that it becomes more about me than about them. I end up serving “wealth” instead of God.

I pray that I would look to God’s will for strength and a clear focus in trying to help those I have strong feelings for. Having first setout to help another with a problem, I pray that I would not end up contributing to the problem. I pray that I would remember that I cannot serve two masters.

Meditations