Reflection on Need

Human/Need/Desire, by Bruce Nauman, photo by eschipul, from Flickr

The other day a man came by our home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He knocked on our gate to get my attention. I was working on my bike outside. It was Sunday. The man had his little girl, a toddler, in his arms. I had never met this man before and was curious about what it is that he wanted. 

The guy outside our gate with his little girl: "I am angry!"

Me: "You are angry?”

Guy: "Yes. Very angry!"

Me: "You are?"

Guy: "Yes!"

I go and get my wife Irene and ask her to translate.

Me: "Ask what's going on with this guy, but do not let him in. He is angry for some reason."

Irene translates: "He says he is hungry."

Me: "Oh, this makes more sense."

We open the gate and give the man and his daughter some food and pray over them. Crisis averted, at least for the evening. And what about tomorrow? (James 2:14-17)

Scripture:

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." -James 2:14-17

Reflection Questions:

How do your faith and your deeds sync up or intersect?

What are the needs you see around you?

How is God inviting you to meet the needs of those who are around you?

Are there neglected areas in your life where you can make a difference?

Prayer:

“Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all your mercies, and
make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 835)


If you would like to financially support Irene and Robbie’s work in Haiti, please click here. The need is there and we appreciate your support.