Head, hands, heart
by Darren Pope
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Loose the chains of injustice. Set the oppressed free. Share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter (Isaiah 58:6,7).
Unannounced, the little yellow van rolls quietly into the driveway. Peeking out, people emerge and gather. Cornflakes, toilet paper, vegemite and cream biscuits disappear from the trestle table as swiftly as they are laid out. Patiently waiting, lowered eyes and smiles alike offer deep gratitude. Steaming cuppas invite familiar faces to blend with new. Warming, the chirp of laughter infectiously erupts. Heads rise as safety emerges. A brief encounter, gently sowing seeds of hope.
God comes to us and serves his world through us. Prayerfully and practically, in response to God’s free gift of unconditional love, we are free to serve, give, welcome and share as love comes to life. Homelessness, suffering or need can remain ‘head knowledge’ as we hear or see. In our broken humanity, we can choose to ‘not see’; however, we are also free to serve and ‘do love’ with others. Advocacy in action arises through active hands and feet as we meet needs where they are to share time and talents.
Once we know and do, there is a real change that takes place. Authenticity, vulnerability and empathy focus the lens of reality. When we invest through relationship, ‘doing with’ rather than ‘doing for’, the recipient of our loving care and support is a beneficiary, but the real change of love happens deep in our own hearts. Head knowledge becomes experiential, and we are changed, different and moved. We are transformed. A fresh understanding of whose, how and who we are germinates, propagating a deep transformation of our hearts.
Are you being called to serve with your head, hands and heart? This is where love comes to life.
Lord of deep and generous love, thank you for knowing all of me and loving me fully. You love and serve your world through me. Inform my mind, nurture my talents. Stir me deep within. Transform my heart. Amen.
As a life-long learner, Darren has a heart to share the gospel through Lutheran education. He treasures time with family, is a mad VW Kombi fan, and loves to swim.
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