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Christian Care Giving
by Fleta Mathews
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all
Comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in
any trouble, by the comforts wherewith we
our-selves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians
1:3-4)
by Fleta Mathews
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all
Comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in
any trouble, by the comforts wherewith we
our-selves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians
1:3-4)
Just what does it mean to be a Christian counselor or Care Giver?
What does God expect of us who attempt this service in His name
for His cause and for His glory? It is a high and holy endeavor to
transparently represent Christ as His ambassadors to a sin sick
and wounded world. Jesus is our example – the Holy One who
was “full of grace and truth”. John 1:14,17. We are to manifest
His miraculous life and love - His gentleness and goodness … and
when needed, give a firm warning or a challenging exhortation to
those who, like all of us, must be held accountable to God for our
words and deeds.
Much of the following is adapted from an article by Drs. Tim
Clinton and Gary Scalise entitled “Manifesting Christ”, as printed
in CHRISTIAN COUNSELING TODAY, Vol. 17 No 1. In try-
ing to care for others, “Some counselors tend to be more priestly
in their therapeutic approach. Others may be more prophetic”.
Priests seek to comfort the disturbed, while prophets ponder how
to disturb the comfortable. Both are important and necessary in-
terventions. Grace (as demonstrated by the priest) is the unmerit-
ed favor of God. Truth (as practiced by the prophet), on the
other hand is fundamental reality that stands apart from and even
transcends ones perceived experiences. These two essential
qualities and the spiritual maturity to rightly put them into practice
are what should distinguish the Christian Counselor or care giving
helper. They allows us to become the eyes, ears, hands and feet–
and ultimately the love of God to those He brings to us - those
who need our tender loving care and compassion. The manifest-
ation of grace and truth in the Christian Counselor or Care giver’s
life and works should be visible, apparent, authentic and easily
seen by all. ( 2 Cor. 1:3-4) gives us both the source of our com-
fort (God), and the reason for it (that we may be able to comfort
others).
In
essence, our goal is to become a reflection of Christ, the Won-
derful Counselor (2 Cor. 3:18). The evangelist, Rodney (Gypsy)
Smith expressed it in his song when he wrote,
“O to reflect His grace, causing the world to see, love that will grow,
Till others shall know, Jesus revealed in me”.
The Christian Counseling process, based on the foundational
principles of God’s Word, is a progressive journey of self-discov-
ery and change. (John 3:21) We are to correct our vision through
the indwelling Holy Spirit and to help others on this journey to
“walk in the light” of Christ in a transformed life. (Rom. 12:1,2)
Some of us may be near-sighted (overwhelmed and overcome) by
what is in front of us. Sometimes we cannot see the total picture.
Others may be far-sighted (in denial) and cannot see the beam in
their own eye). Still yet others may be completely blind (lacking
hope and faith) and cannot see through the darkness and despair
at all. We have the privilege of being God’s optometry assist-
ants! He is the Great Physician, but he chooses to use us in help-
ing people see things more clearly. May we look at and help
others by seeing them through the eyes of Jesus. As Gary Scalise
points out:
The world saw only that Jesus was eating with tax collectors
and sinners …but Jesus saw people in need of the great
Physician.
The world saw only a blind beggar named Bartimaeous(sic)
shouting above the crowd and disturbing those around
Him… but Jesus saw a man reaching out in faith and in need
of mercy.
The world saw only a group of children annoying the
Master… but Jesus saw their innocent trust and a kingdom
that belongs to such as these.
The world saw only a greedy tax collector named Zaccheus
becoming rich through excessively taking from others … but
Jesus saw a man ready to be broken with an act of repent-
ance.
The world saw only the crowds pressing in on Him from all
sides … but Jesus felt the touch to His garment by a needy,
trembling woman.
The world saw only five loaves and two fish to feed so
many… but Jesus saw a great multitude hungry and in need
of compassion and the Bread of Life.
The world sees only a man dying with AIDS and whispers that he
probably deserves it … but Jesus sees someone who is alone and
afraid of dying. The world sees only the addicted, bound and
groping in the darkness … but Jesus sees someone whose life can
be restored. The world sees only a Christian leader who has fal-
len before the eyes of so many … but Jesus sees someone who is
worthy of grace and help in time of need. The world sees only
the prostitute standing on the corner … but Jesus sees a little girl
who was sexually abused and desperate for her father’s love. The
world sees only the rebellious teenager wasting his talent and want-
ing to end his life … but Jesus sees someone who has never been
accepted and starving for approval. The world sees only the color
of someone’s skin … but Jesus sees a vessel fearfully and wonder-
fully made, created in the image of Almighty God. The world
sees only the woman who is anxious, alone and depressed … but
Jesus sees the single Mom struggling to survive and needing the
support and understanding of others. The world sees only the
throwaways in prison, the crippled, the poor and the homeless …
but Jesus sees precious souls who have yet to be invited to the
banquet table of the kingdom of God.
How we work with people changes when we are willing with
God’s Spirit to look beyond outward appearances and allow
God to help us look at human hearts as He does … when we
do, we can “speak the truth in love”, appropriate His grace,
and leave the results to Him.
What does God expect of us who attempt this service in His name
for His cause and for His glory? It is a high and holy endeavor to
transparently represent Christ as His ambassadors to a sin sick
and wounded world. Jesus is our example – the Holy One who
was “full of grace and truth”. John 1:14,17. We are to manifest
His miraculous life and love - His gentleness and goodness … and
when needed, give a firm warning or a challenging exhortation to
those who, like all of us, must be held accountable to God for our
words and deeds.
Much of the following is adapted from an article by Drs. Tim
Clinton and Gary Scalise entitled “Manifesting Christ”, as printed
in CHRISTIAN COUNSELING TODAY, Vol. 17 No 1. In try-
ing to care for others, “Some counselors tend to be more priestly
in their therapeutic approach. Others may be more prophetic”.
Priests seek to comfort the disturbed, while prophets ponder how
to disturb the comfortable. Both are important and necessary in-
terventions. Grace (as demonstrated by the priest) is the unmerit-
ed favor of God. Truth (as practiced by the prophet), on the
other hand is fundamental reality that stands apart from and even
transcends ones perceived experiences. These two essential
qualities and the spiritual maturity to rightly put them into practice
are what should distinguish the Christian Counselor or care giving
helper. They allows us to become the eyes, ears, hands and feet–
and ultimately the love of God to those He brings to us - those
who need our tender loving care and compassion. The manifest-
ation of grace and truth in the Christian Counselor or Care giver’s
life and works should be visible, apparent, authentic and easily
seen by all. ( 2 Cor. 1:3-4) gives us both the source of our com-
fort (God), and the reason for it (that we may be able to comfort
others).
In
essence, our goal is to become a reflection of Christ, the Won-
derful Counselor (2 Cor. 3:18). The evangelist, Rodney (Gypsy)
Smith expressed it in his song when he wrote,
“O to reflect His grace, causing the world to see, love that will grow,
Till others shall know, Jesus revealed in me”.
The Christian Counseling process, based on the foundational
principles of God’s Word, is a progressive journey of self-discov-
ery and change. (John 3:21) We are to correct our vision through
the indwelling Holy Spirit and to help others on this journey to
“walk in the light” of Christ in a transformed life. (Rom. 12:1,2)
Some of us may be near-sighted (overwhelmed and overcome) by
what is in front of us. Sometimes we cannot see the total picture.
Others may be far-sighted (in denial) and cannot see the beam in
their own eye). Still yet others may be completely blind (lacking
hope and faith) and cannot see through the darkness and despair
at all. We have the privilege of being God’s optometry assist-
ants! He is the Great Physician, but he chooses to use us in help-
ing people see things more clearly. May we look at and help
others by seeing them through the eyes of Jesus. As Gary Scalise
points out:
The world saw only that Jesus was eating with tax collectors
and sinners …but Jesus saw people in need of the great
Physician.
The world saw only a blind beggar named Bartimaeous(sic)
shouting above the crowd and disturbing those around
Him… but Jesus saw a man reaching out in faith and in need
of mercy.
The world saw only a group of children annoying the
Master… but Jesus saw their innocent trust and a kingdom
that belongs to such as these.
The world saw only a greedy tax collector named Zaccheus
becoming rich through excessively taking from others … but
Jesus saw a man ready to be broken with an act of repent-
ance.
The world saw only the crowds pressing in on Him from all
sides … but Jesus felt the touch to His garment by a needy,
trembling woman.
The world saw only five loaves and two fish to feed so
many… but Jesus saw a great multitude hungry and in need
of compassion and the Bread of Life.
The world sees only a man dying with AIDS and whispers that he
probably deserves it … but Jesus sees someone who is alone and
afraid of dying. The world sees only the addicted, bound and
groping in the darkness … but Jesus sees someone whose life can
be restored. The world sees only a Christian leader who has fal-
len before the eyes of so many … but Jesus sees someone who is
worthy of grace and help in time of need. The world sees only
the prostitute standing on the corner … but Jesus sees a little girl
who was sexually abused and desperate for her father’s love. The
world sees only the rebellious teenager wasting his talent and want-
ing to end his life … but Jesus sees someone who has never been
accepted and starving for approval. The world sees only the color
of someone’s skin … but Jesus sees a vessel fearfully and wonder-
fully made, created in the image of Almighty God. The world
sees only the woman who is anxious, alone and depressed … but
Jesus sees the single Mom struggling to survive and needing the
support and understanding of others. The world sees only the
throwaways in prison, the crippled, the poor and the homeless …
but Jesus sees precious souls who have yet to be invited to the
banquet table of the kingdom of God.
How we work with people changes when we are willing with
God’s Spirit to look beyond outward appearances and allow
God to help us look at human hearts as He does … when we
do, we can “speak the truth in love”, appropriate His grace,
and leave the results to Him.
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| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |
MEDITATIONS