Our food distributions continue, as the needs of people continue and increase because of rising costs and unemployment. But the attendance is down, so I had to investigate “Why?”.
While wildfires have increased needs, the reason for people not coming for food is that they are afraid. Our distributions are made only based on need, but the rumor mill tells people that they may lose the opportunity to remain here if ‘they are taking benefits or charity from need-based programs’ but are not citizens. Rumors abound that the presence of ICE staff anywhere could turn into local sweeps and that they could be separated from their families.
This is a problem for those who lack documentation, and for those with family member who lack documentation. So though the needs are real, some stay away out of fear.
While I am powerless to address their fears, because I have no authority, I do have the power to ask God for help, for guidance in using the resources I have to honor Him. I have the ability to seek His direction, and the will to obey.
Public opinion is really polarized, and very loud. People have opinions, but don’t seem to be asking what God’s opinion is. It is far easier to argue based on an opinion rather than to be humble and ask God for help to help the needs of people than to argue policy about what should be done with them. But that takes the humanity out of it, and puts people, friends and neighbors, into a group and then shouts what should be “done” for the problem.
In Scripture there is a rule for such things: love your neighbor. Do the things that communicate the love of God.
“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:33-34 (NLT)
This asks each to determine how to treat our neighbor, how to show love, to people. It is not a suggestion. It is a command. Love is patient. Love is kind. It is compassionate. It heals. It conquers fear.
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
Romans 3:8 (NLT)
If your neighbor is concerned about food, about feeding children and if I have more food than I need, giving food is probably love. If the neighbor has lost their job and fears becoming homeless, helping with rent is probably love. If a family member is in jail, sharing prayer or visiting a prisoner shows love.
It is a separate question entirely to ask what should be done with a law breaker. There are gang members, cheaters, adulterers, alcoholics and drug dealers all around us. They are our neighbors, too. And when they get caught up in the legal system, it impacts their families. The loss of a wage earner also threatens food security, and threatens homelessness, and makes people afraid. To address need, the needs of children and families, is to honor God as a witness to what He has done for us…none of us was ‘worthy’ of His gift of grace.
Compassion is, at the same time, not a call to anger against the authorities and the laws that we have. Compassion does not automatically forgive and give a “pass” to all transgressions. If my own child committed murder, I could look on them with compassion and mercy, but stand with them through the legal process. I can love mercy AND love justice, as both come from God.
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Romans 3:1-5 (NLT)
This isn’t talking about Priests, but about Government. It wasn’t conditioned on the Authorities righteousness and fairness. It is saying that they report to God, and are accountable to Him for their work. Do you believe that God is able to deal with them? Or do you think that they should conform to your idea of justice regardless of the law? Be careful in your answer.
I would seem to me that physically attacking the authorities, endangering them or their families, is outside of what God considers good and just.
Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
James 1:20
I feel the need to DO something for my neighbor, but that needs to be showing them love, to weep with them, to rejoice with them when God shows up with an answer to prayer.
But if I indulge in justifying my anger…and the actions out of that anger…then I am necessarily saying “God can’t deal with this…it is up to me!”. God is not able. God is not willing. And I am not willing to wait and see what God will do, because God might not do what I want. Human pride.
Human pride wants to judge the law, not to do what it says. And that is a trap for anyone looking to disregard all authority and to be a law unto yourself. “You can’t tell me what to do!”.
The law cannot be molded to the desires of the moment, because a group is poor…or because a group is rich.
“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Leviticus 19:15
These two poles are irreconcilable in human terms. But not in spiritual terms. God is God. He is sovereign in His love; He is Sovereign in His justice. What is necessary is to take it to God and ask Him to resolve it. That His character, His Way would be honored. That the people caught up in fear would come to know Him, and that they would see Him resolve it in whatever way He determines. That we place our trust in Him, not in people, to do good for us…even when it is not what we want.
If we trust God it may not be as complicated as we think. If we look for His best for us, we might discover that He is not surprised by circumstances and that His power is far greater than our problems.
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8