| Moments for Meditation |
How Christians
Can Be Helpers
by Fleta Mathews
Can Be Helpers
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 comforteth
us in all our tribultation that we may be able to comfort them
which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God.” (II Corinthians 1:3,4)
Just what does God expect of us as Christian counselors and care
giving helpers? It is a high and holy calling to humbly, yet trans-
parently represent Christ as His ambassadors to a lost and wound-
ed world. Jesus is our standard bearer, the one who was “full of
grace and truth”. (John 1:14) We are to manifest His miraculous
life and love; his gentleness and kindness and other times give a
strong exhortation or challenge to those of us who must be held
accountable to God for our words and deeds.
Much of what follows in this paragraph is from an article by Drs.
Tim Clinton and Gary Scalise entitled, “Manifesting Christ”, as
printed in CHRISTIAN COUNSELING TODAY, Vol. 17 No. 1.
“Some counselors tend to be more priestly in their therapeutic
approach. Others may be prophetic. Priests hope to comfort the
disturbed, while Prophets love to disturb the comfortable! Both
are important and necessary interventions”. Grace (as demon-
strated by the priest) is the unmerited favor of God. Truth (as
practiced by the Prophet) on the other hand, is a fundamental
reality that transcends one’s experiences. These essential qualities
and the spiritual maturity to rightly employ them are what should
distinguish the Christian Counselor or care giving helper. They
allow us to become the eyes, ears, hands and feet – and ultimately
the love of God to those He brings to us: those who need care
compassion or confrontation. The manifestation of grace and
truth in the Christian Counselor’s and Care giving helper’s life and
works should be visible, transparent and readily seen by all. II
Corinthians 1:3, 4 gives us both the source of our comfort (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
Wonderful Counselor (II Corinthians 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
glow, ‘till others shall know, Jesus revealed in me." Or, as we
should sing, “Make me a blessing … out of my life may Jesus
shine."
The Christian Counseling process, based on the foundational
principles of God’s word, is a progressive journey of self-
discovery and Christ-like change. (John 3:21) We are to correct
our own vision through the indwelling Holy Spirit and help others
on their journey to “walk in the light and love of Christ”.
Some of us may be near-sighted (overwhelmed and overcome) by
what is in front of us. Sometimes we cannot see the total big
picture. Others may be far-sighted (in denial) and cannot see the
beam in our 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
assistants! He is the Great Physician, but he chooses to use us in
helping each other see things more clearly. May we look at and
help others by seeing them through the eyes of Jesus. As Gary
Scalise points out in the above mentioned article:
“The world saw only that Jesus was eating with tax gatherers 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 needing mercy.
“The world saw only a group of children annoying the Master …
but Jesus saw the innocent trust and a kingdom that belonged to
such as these.
“The world saw only a crooked tax gathered named Zaccheus
becoming rich through the suffering of others … but Jesus saw
a man ready to be broken with an act of repentance.
“The world saw only the crowds pressing in on Him from all sides
…but Jesus sensed the touch of His garment by a 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.
“The world sees only a man dying with AIDS and whispers that
he probably deserves it … but Jesus sees someone who’s alone
and afraid of dying.
“The world sees only the alcoholic, lost and groping in the
darkness … but Jesus sees someone whose life can be restored.
“The world sees only the Christian leader who has stumbled badly
and fallen before the eyes of so many … but Jesus sees someone
who’s worthy of grace and help in the 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 wanting 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 wonderfully made, created in the image
of Almighty God.
“The world sees only the woman who is anxious and depressed
… but Jesus sees a single Mom struggling to survive and needing
the support and understanding others.
“The world sees only the throwaways in prison, the crippled, the
hungry and the homeless … but Jesus see precious souls who
have yet to be invited to His banqueting table.”
How we love and work with people changes when we are willing
with God’s indwelling Holy Spirit to look beyond outward appear-
ances and allow Him to enable us see hearts as He does … when
we do, we can “speak the truth in love”, offer help, and leave the
results to Him.
Father of mercies, and the God of all Comfort; Who comforteth
us in all our tribultation that we may be able to comfort them
which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God.” (II Corinthians 1:3,4)
Just what does God expect of us as Christian counselors and care
giving helpers? It is a high and holy calling to humbly, yet trans-
parently represent Christ as His ambassadors to a lost and wound-
ed world. Jesus is our standard bearer, the one who was “full of
grace and truth”. (John 1:14) We are to manifest His miraculous
life and love; his gentleness and kindness and other times give a
strong exhortation or challenge to those of us who must be held
accountable to God for our words and deeds.
Much of what follows in this paragraph is from an article by Drs.
Tim Clinton and Gary Scalise entitled, “Manifesting Christ”, as
printed in CHRISTIAN COUNSELING TODAY, Vol. 17 No. 1.
“Some counselors tend to be more priestly in their therapeutic
approach. Others may be prophetic. Priests hope to comfort the
disturbed, while Prophets love to disturb the comfortable! Both
are important and necessary interventions”. Grace (as demon-
strated by the priest) is the unmerited favor of God. Truth (as
practiced by the Prophet) on the other hand, is a fundamental
reality that transcends one’s experiences. These essential qualities
and the spiritual maturity to rightly employ them are what should
distinguish the Christian Counselor or care giving helper. They
allow us to become the eyes, ears, hands and feet – and ultimately
the love of God to those He brings to us: those who need care
compassion or confrontation. The manifestation of grace and
truth in the Christian Counselor’s and Care giving helper’s life and
works should be visible, transparent and readily seen by all. II
Corinthians 1:3, 4 gives us both the source of our comfort (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
Wonderful Counselor (II Corinthians 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
glow, ‘till others shall know, Jesus revealed in me." Or, as we
should sing, “Make me a blessing … out of my life may Jesus
shine."
The Christian Counseling process, based on the foundational
principles of God’s word, is a progressive journey of self-
discovery and Christ-like change. (John 3:21) We are to correct
our own vision through the indwelling Holy Spirit and help others
on their journey to “walk in the light and love of Christ”.
Some of us may be near-sighted (overwhelmed and overcome) by
what is in front of us. Sometimes we cannot see the total big
picture. Others may be far-sighted (in denial) and cannot see the
beam in our 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
assistants! He is the Great Physician, but he chooses to use us in
helping each other see things more clearly. May we look at and
help others by seeing them through the eyes of Jesus. As Gary
Scalise points out in the above mentioned article:
“The world saw only that Jesus was eating with tax gatherers 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 needing mercy.
“The world saw only a group of children annoying the Master …
but Jesus saw the innocent trust and a kingdom that belonged to
such as these.
“The world saw only a crooked tax gathered named Zaccheus
becoming rich through the suffering of others … but Jesus saw
a man ready to be broken with an act of repentance.
“The world saw only the crowds pressing in on Him from all sides
…but Jesus sensed the touch of His garment by a 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.
“The world sees only a man dying with AIDS and whispers that
he probably deserves it … but Jesus sees someone who’s alone
and afraid of dying.
“The world sees only the alcoholic, lost and groping in the
darkness … but Jesus sees someone whose life can be restored.
“The world sees only the Christian leader who has stumbled badly
and fallen before the eyes of so many … but Jesus sees someone
who’s worthy of grace and help in the 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 wanting 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 wonderfully made, created in the image
of Almighty God.
“The world sees only the woman who is anxious and depressed
… but Jesus sees a single Mom struggling to survive and needing
the support and understanding others.
“The world sees only the throwaways in prison, the crippled, the
hungry and the homeless … but Jesus see precious souls who
have yet to be invited to His banqueting table.”
How we love and work with people changes when we are willing
with God’s indwelling Holy Spirit to look beyond outward appear-
ances and allow Him to enable us see hearts as He does … when
we do, we can “speak the truth in love”, offer help, and leave the
results to Him.
| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |
MEDITATIONS
| MENU |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |