Devotion - Monday, October 3

I was reading this morning from James 2. Here, the writer encourages us not to show preference for the rich over the poor. He writes, "Show no partiality.... If you show partiality, you commit sin."

On the retreat this weekend, I made a reference to Vincent de Paul (1580-1660). He wrote "Christ chose to be born in poverty and took poor men as his disciples; he himself became the servant of the poor."

Also on the weekend retreat, we sang a song with hand motions. At the line, "God's going to turn this whole wide world upside down," those who knew the hand motions flipped right hand and left hand to demonstrate what turning upside down means.

I wonder if we are prepared for that?

I wonder if I am.

At the end of the retreat, I was eager to make my way back to my home. It is a modest home, when compared with those of other members of University Lutheran. But when I remember the homes I visited in Tanzania or Guatemala or even Germany, it is spacious. In that home, I have a thermostat that allows me to either heat the house or cool it. There is running water, a fridge full of beverages and food. I have Wi-fi, wide-screen TV. Do I need to go on?

In a few hours, I will leave this house to go to Bowman Field to work on the Habitat for Humanity House being built by the students. I will go, but can I admit to you that I am dragging myself out there this morning? That I feel the need to have a few more hours to rest and recuperate from the weekend's activities? I have that choice. Because I have the resources to back me up.

Jesus saw in the poor a dependance upon God which is too often missing from those who have plenty. Jesus forsook the symbols and signs of earthly prosperity in order to show that richness in faith is what matters. In doing so, he turned (and is turning) the whole wide world upside down.

Are we prepared for that?

Are you?