Sunday, June 3, 2001
|
Sunday, June 3, 2001 |
|
Helping those buried by pressure By DR. DAVID L.
CHANCEY
A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagon load of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, John," he called out. "Forget your problems for a spell and come on and have dinner with us. Then I'll help you get the wagon back up." "That's mighty nice of you," John answered, "but I don't think Pa would like for me to." "Oh, come on, son!" the farmer insisted. "Well, OK," the boy finally agreed. "But Pa won't like it." After a good hot meal and a time of visiting, the boy thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset." "Don't be foolish!" exclaimed the neighbor. "He won't mind. Where is your Pa, anyway?" "He's under the wagon." No doubt many people around us are "under the wagon," or at least are carrying a heavy load. Life's inevitable problems and pressures have buried and burdened them. We have opportunities daily to give a helping hand to someone who needs a little encouragement or sometimes real support. We must be careful not to be indifferent or insensitive to those who cross our paths. Someone said, "One who is wrapped up in himself makes a very small package." Galatians 6:2 commands us to "bear one another's burdens." That means each of us must look beyond ourselves and assist with the needs of others. In any given church, there's a broken heart on every pew. At any given time, we are rubbing shoulders with persons who need a little lift. The late New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia was known as a mayor who tried to keep in touch with the people and their problems. La Guardia like to stay connected with all the various departments under his supervision. One evening he decided to preside over night court. It was a bitterly cold winter night and a frightened, trembling man was brought before him charged with stealing a loaf of bread. His family, he said, was starving. With a tone of compassion and concern in his voice, La Guardia declared, "I have to punish you; there can be no exception to the law. I fine you $10." However, even as he said this, La Guardia was reaching into his pocket for the money. "Here's $10 to pay the fine, which I now remit," he said. "Furthermore," the mayor continued, "I am going to fine everybody in this courtroom $1 for living in a city where a man has to steal bread in order to eat. Mr. Baliff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant!" The hat was passed and the money given to the needy man who went out into the winter night with a new warmth in his heart. But there was also a warmer, healthier feeling in the hearts of those who had acted unselfishly to meet the need of one who had found himself "under the wagon." Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The church family meets at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.
|
||