“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV.
My thoughts and comments today are that “God cares.”
People won’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
When I was fresh out of Bible College and in my first years of ministry, my friend and a seasoned pastor, Kenny, offered me some priceless advice. His exact words were these, “Allen, people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That is an incredible truth for all relationships – marriage, parenting, friendship, business, and especially pastoring. After more than fifty years of pastoring now, I still believe that may have been some of the most important and practical counsel I ever received.
I well remember a particular Mother’s Day service. I was standing near the entrance when a friend entered, took my hand and simply said, “Pastor, would you pray for me today?” Not an altogether unusual request normally, but as I held her hand and saw the pain in her eyes, I knew this was much more than a simple request. Her eyes were red and moist from tears. When I asked, “What’s wrong?” her story tumbled out. The night before her son, a pedestrian, was hit by a car. He died along the roadside. Her words were, “I knew this is where I needed to be this morning.” She didn’t come for a sermon or songs; she came for the comfort of those she knew would care about her and begin the healing of her unbearable pain. In reflection of her words, I am reminded of my friend’s advice, “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
A lack of practical caring can create an unrecognized distance between yourself and others. Caring may begin as an emotion, but must become so much more. When Jesus was asked to explain how to, “love your neighbor as yourself,” He told a wonderful story that is called, The Good Samaritan. Read Luke 10:25-37 NKJV. A traveler was attacked by thieves – beaten, robbed, and left helpless and suffering. Sad to say, two religious people sympathized with this stranger’s dilemma but hurried on their way without bothering to help.
Sympathy for others must extend empathy toward others. Soon after, when the Samaritan saw the fellow traveler, beaten and robbed by thieves, he empathized with his misfortune. “When he saw him, he had compassion.” The Samaritan identified with a stranger’s distress when he realized it could just as easily have been himself, accosted and left helpless. Then his emotion turned to practical actions; he got involved.
Caring is a benevolence that notices and responds to another’s need in meaningful ways. “So he went to him, bandaged his wounds, set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” And at personal, financial expense, he arranged for ongoing care until he was well. Caring is costly and inconvenient. Caring will cost you time, expense, and involvement.
Peter gave this instruction, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV. It can be challenging to trust your cares and concerns to God unless you know assuredly that He cares for you as truly as His Word says. And at times, it is hard for others to understand how much God cares unless they experience God’s love being expressed through you and others. “That the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with them; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with them.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 NKJV. Remember my friend’s advice, “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Today, I pray for you to transfer all your concerns into your Savior’s care.
Christian Communications 2016
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Will You Trust Me by Cliff Hawley, Artist
My gratitude to Cliff Hawley for his permission for EDL to use this inspiring piece of Christian Art. I have personally known the artist for more than 40 years and served as his pastor for a major part of those years. If you would like to view or purchase any of Mr Hawley’s Christian art, I refer you to view his work at his website, CHawley.com.