Black and White

I often long for the days when the good guys wore white and the bad wore black.  An incident a few months back reminded me of why.  A girlfriend and I had just pulled through a drive-thru when a man walked up from behind my car to ask for directions.  It wasn't until he leaned toward my open window that I began to panic.  My doors were unlocked and we were blocked in from a quick getaway.  If the man really was lost I wanted to help, but I couldn't tell if he was a good guy or a bad one.  Where was that white hat?  I didn't find one, but all ended well—the man got the help he needed and we were safe.  Jesus has a better identification program than white or black hats.

To be identified as Christ's heirs to the kingdom, we are called to act out our faith.  Scripture tells us we serve Him when we serve those in need, those who are hungry for food and love, and those who are thirsty for water and encouragement.  We serve God when we give clothes to those who have none, and wrap those around us in the warmth of unconditional love.  We serve Him when we accept strangers into God's House and introduce them to the Owner.  These are the things that will separate us from the rest of the world and set us apart for God.  We won't see it right now, but with each act of service given to the least of these, God replaces our clothes with garments washed pure and white, and just maybe, a white hat.

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for giving me the opportunity to serve You by serving others.  I praise You for replacing my dirty clothes with those washed white as snow.

“All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left”, Matthew 25:32-33 NET.

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, Asbury Theological Seminary student, known as author and speaker on the deep questions of faith.  Her first book Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life (Beacon Hill) is being called a biblically-sound, no nonsense approach to making God-centered life choices.  For comments or to inquire about her speaking schedule, visit www.DirectionAndDiscernment.com/.