Healing Rays of Righteousness

How To Be a Jesus-Like Neighbor to All Others

The Statue of Liberty stands at the entrance of the New York harbor, inviting the world with these words, “Give me your tired, your poor.”  Resonating with this invitation to the world, Jesus shouts out this invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus’ invitation is directed to you and me, disciples who often struggle and become discouraged in our commitment to being a loving Jesus-like neighbor toward others.  He promises that in Him we will find rest, wisdom, and strength for the difficult and sometimes dangerous journey of nurturing a loving relationship with all others.  

When Jesus was asked by an expert in the law, ‘And who is my neighbor?’  Jesus answered with the story of the Good Samaritan, and then asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”  The man replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”  Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37).  In this conversation, Jesus shifts the identity of “neighbor” from the victim to the questioner.    

With that corrective to our usual reading of the story, I must ask myself whether I am being a  Jesus-like neighbor to those with whom I live, work, and play; be they family members, community members, coworkers, both the likeable and unlikeable.  Yes, there are many people in my  world of relationships, and I need always to remember that each one of them is dearly loved by God even as he loves me. 

Jesus was a servant-leader who deeply loved others during his short ministry here on earth, and I am convinced it is his expectation and command that we do the same as his followers.  “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  (John 13:34).

But what does it mean to be a Jesus-like neighbor?  I think Jesus would tell us that it is more about what we do to others then what we say to others.  His story of the Good Samaritan is only one example.  On another occasion he told a wealthy “wanna be” disciple to “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21). 

And in Matthew 25:31-46 we hear Jesus describing the end-time judgment and its separation criteria.  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and , and did not help you?’  He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”  (vss.44-45).   

In introducing a study from Proverbs, Karl A. McKinney lists four definitions of neighbors as those who: plan to do good to one another, including to not harm or ignore one another (Proverbs 3);  suffer to benefit one another and fulfill vows to be neighbors (Proverbs 6);  look for poor people to care for them (Proverbs 14);  and control their speech “weep with those who weep; rejoice with those who rejoice”; show care and compassion for others, even when one becomes an enemy and needs food, shelter, and clothing;  and do not speak evil about one another to anyone else (Proverbs 25).

In his devotional book, A Daily Walk Through Romans, Myron Augsburger writes, “There is a cost in love, for when you love someone, their experience is shared with you, their problems become your problems.  Love is far deeper than tolerance; it calls for repentance while tolerance doesn’t require change.  Love does not select.  Love shares totally with the person.  When we love we identify honestly, openly, fully.  Paul states his admonition simply but profoundly: “Let love be genuine.”

 Yes, the command to be a neighbor of Jesus-like love to all others, including our enemy, is often difficult, costly, and sometimes dangerous.  But difficult roads are also opportunities to deepen our relationship with Jesus, and to have our trust strengthened.  And since Jesus knows our limits of strengths and weaknesses, he invites us to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Jesus’ invitation is not the promise of an easy road, but rather of a difficult road made easier because of a traveling companion whose wisdom and strength makes the journey more restful and enjoyable.

The burden becomes light (easy) because Jesus shares the burden with us and carries the greater weight for us.

The Statue of Liberty promises a country where like-minded persons will travel the journey together.  Likewise, the empty cross of Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary promises a journey where like-minded persons will travel together with the resurrected Christ as yokefellow, companion and guide, comforter and teacher, protector, and healer.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 30, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

God Is for You

We are quick to classify significant events as either “tragic” or “triumphant” based on our extremely limited knowledge and insight.  However, we need to admit that such simplistic classifications do not and cannot fully describe nor explain the whys and wherefores of such events. 

What is so readily visible to us in our life experiences and situations is so small in comparison to what God knows, sees, and purposes for us.  He sees and knows the big and eternal picture of the world in which we live.  And he knows every little detail about us because he created us and breathed life and purpose into our bodies.  And so, it is only reasonable to believe that his perspective of any event or situation happening to us would be much different and more accurate than ours.

In Romans 8:26-28, apostle Paul, encourages us with this reassurance –  “… the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  … the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Paul then continues in verses 31-39 by asking two questions.  His first question in verses 31-32, is “What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us,who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”    

Paul is emphatically trying to convince us that written on the underside of every experience in our life, both the good and bad, is the holy seal of assurance, “God is for you.”  Unfortunately, some have misread verse 28 and being disappointed, have become confused and discouraged.  It is especially important for us to note what this verse does not say as well as what it does say.

Verse 29 clearly identifies the “good” promised in this scripture as the ability “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”  To accomplish this, God uses all things, the good and the bad, the joys and the tears, the successes, and the failures to shape us into the likeness of his Son, Jesus.  And we can be assured that God does not waste any events or experiences in our life and world toward accomplishing his purpose of transforming us into the person he created us to become.

We know this because God is for us.  Pause for a moment and think about what you just read.  God is for you!  It does not say that God  “may be” of “has been” or “was” or “will be” for you, but rather “God is for you.”  Can I really believe that today, at this very minute and every minute, God is for me?  The biblical answer is “YES”!

Paul’s second question is this – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”  Remembering his personal experiences of hardships and sufferings, Paul lists those things that can cause us to question God’s love for us, and emphatically declares that none of these things can ever, ever separate us from Christ’s love. 

Rather than separating us from the love of Christ, Paul declares that these difficulties and sufferings make us “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (v.37).  Our sufferings do not separate us from the love of Christ, but rather they strengthen our bond of relationship with Christ as the dearly loved, adopted children of God.

In verse 38 Paul answers his own two questions, with a powerful, all-inclusive declaration regarding the love of God for us – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  This is Paul’s testimony of faith from his own life of many difficult, life-threatening experiences.

Remembering my own journeys through times of difficult and painful sufferings, I can affirm that God is present with us every moment or every day.  He keeps his promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  He is by our side cheering us on, applauding our accomplishments.  He is there to pick us up when we stumble and fall, and he puts his arms around us to comfort us when we hurt and cry.  God is always for us, and in every situation of life working for our good.  Thanks be to God!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” –  June 23, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Taking A Deep Breath

Many are the times I wished I would have followed the advice that I would give to my children when they became upset or angry because of what was said or done to them.  I would tell them to “take a deep breath and count to ten” before responding. 

I am reminded of this whenever I hear the words in John 20:22 being read – “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”   It seems my advice to “take a deep breath and count to ten” is echoing in my memory.  I think I am hearing Jesus say to his disciples and us “take a deep breath of my Holy breath and receive my peace.”

Each time Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, he greets them with “Peace be with you” and I ask myself, why does the risen Christ repeatedly speak this greeting?  Is it because he knows their lives are in turmoil with all the uncertainty caused by the events of Passion Week?  Is it a theological statement about receiving reconciling peace with God now that sin and death havebeen overcome?  Or is Jesus simply modeling how he expects his disciples to greet one another?  The answer is probably “yes” to all three possibilities. 

It was while the disciples are trembling with anxieties and fears, that the resurrected Jesus enters the room and gives them the only remedy that could remove their fear and restore their peace and confidence.  “Again Jesus said, “Peace with you!” As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

His greeting, “Peace be with you” was the offering of his gift of peace, the fruit of his sacrificial death and resurrection, to his disciples.  This gift of peace could and would remove the fear that was holding them hostage.  It was fear that chased the disciples to hide behind locked doors. 

It is important for us to understand that these surprise visits by Jesus were no superficial, neighborly visits, but rather needed events to confirm and reassure his disciples that he can and will keep his promise to always be present with them to protect, provide, and empower them through every scary situation of uncertainty and darkness in their life. 

We also need to understand that his gift of “peace” is wrapped within a living, daily relationship with himself.  It is in relationship with Jesus and his Holy Spirit living within us, that we are given empowerment to break out of fear’s stronghold on us and into a life of peace within ourselves and to peacemaking with others. 

Just as Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto his disciples to empower them to carry forward his mission of forgiveness, healing, and peace in the world, so also, in the same manner, he empowers and commissions us to go into the world making disciples. 

Living in this environment of Holy empowerment is as simple as daily “taking a deep breath” of God’s holy breath.  For as we deeply breathe in God’s holy breath, we inhale his profound wisdom and love for doing his will on earth as it is in heaven. 

Furthermore, as we deeply breathe in God’s breath, creativity is awakened and in many ways we become co-creators with God.  And as his co-creators, we are empowered to breathe new life and hope into difficult and often threatening situations and relationships by breathing peace into responses and solutions that will help bring resolution of the crisis or difficulty. 

It would be good for us to awake each morning by taking a few moments to sense the presence of God in Jesus breathing on us and saying to us, “Peace be with you!  Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

And then being awakened and reassured of God’s presence and love, we can pray the hymn written by Edwin Hatch in 1878, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.”

Breathe on me, breath of God;  Fill me with life a-new,

That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, un-til my heart is pure,

Un-til with Thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am whol-ly Thine,

Un-til this earth-ly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God; So shall I nev-er die,

But live with Thee the per-fect life of Thine e-ter-ni-ty.

I believe these few moments each morning will encourage and empower us to keep breathing new life and hope into our every activity and relationship throughout the day.  And then each evening before we sleep, give thanks to God for his enabling Holy Spirit and gift of peace.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 9, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Music is Medicine for My Soul

I always loved relaxing on our patio at our previous residence after sunset and listen to the evening music of God’s little creatures, watch the floating, flickering lights of lightning bugs, and follow the fast turns and dives of bats and swallows as they catch an evening meal of mosquitoes. 

This was also an evening highlight for me on our many travel trailer camping experiences.  I still enjoy relaxing on our back porch glider at our present residence, even though the nearby traffic noise overwhelms much of the creaturely music and entertainment. 

I was enjoying such an evening when my thoughts turned to the important role of music and song in our lives.  To live in a world without music would be so depressing, so hopeless, so much like hell.  The Bible tells us that there will be only great sorrow and weeping.  In contrast, heaven will be filled with great gladness, joy, and singing.

Music is often said to be a universal language that awakens feelings and thoughts in persons everywhere and crosses all cultural and geographical boundaries.  Music evokes joy and sadness, praise and petition, memory, and hope.  It is both the song and the cry of the heart. 

Music has the power to quiet and energize the heart and mind, influencing our thoughts and action.  Music is healing therapy to the weary, the hurting, or the despondent soul.  Martin Luther wrote that music is even effective in driving the Devil away.

In her book, A Deepening Love Affair, Dr. Jane Marie Thibault writes, “Music, secular as well as sacred, can bring many of us into the presence of God very quickly and powerfully.  Music affects the limbic system of the brain, the center that has control over all of our feelings. …which in turn affects the temporal cortex, a section which seems to be sensitive to the spiritual.” 

Dr. Thibault continues, “Think about the role music plays in your spiritual life.  What kind of music moves you to tears?  What makes you joyful, hopeful, peaceful, repentant, and happy?  What kind of music draws you into yourself?  What pulls you out of yourself?”

I often experience music as the means whereby my soul is ushered into the presence of God with joyful praise and/or loving prayer.  There have been many times that my walk outside, appreciating the beauty of  a sunrise or sunset, that I am inspired to sing “My God, How Great Thou Art.”  Even a cloudy and rainy morning may stir within me the melody and words of “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings”and on a snowy morning the hymn “Whiter Than Snow.”

A hymn that has become a meaningful prayer of petition for me  is “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”  I have often found renewed courage and strength during a difficult day by singing that prayer hymn in my thoughts.

I could continue with a long listing of music that has stirred my emotions and aided my spiritual journey, but the above is sufficient to illustrate the potential music can have in drawing us into a closer relationship with God. 

Yes, God created the hills (and the valleys) to be alive with music for that very purpose.  I cannot listen to a mockingbird singing his seemingly endless repertoire of songs without my spirit being lifted and encouraged.  I wonder what music and songs you may have been listening to and singing or humming during the past months.  Can you say that it is inspiring and encouraging you in your life journey?  If not, maybe you need to change your choice of music.

Dr. Thibault concludes, “Other kinds of music may be more important to you.  Classical pieces have enormous power to evoke spiritual feelings and remind us of God.  Even jazz, which was one of Merton’s favorite forms of music, can do this for some.  …How about the love song from West Side Story – “One Hand, One Heart”?  Some hymns could not come as close as this to being prayer.  So, try experimenting with music as a medium for prayer – it may quicken your spirit more than any other way of being with God.”

“Singing I Go”  –  (Eliza E. Hewitt)

Refrain:

Singing I go along life’s road,  Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;

Singing I go along life’s road,  For Jesus has lifted my load.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 2, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley