«This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me» (Isaiah 54:17, GW).
HER NAME was Cathy Boone, and she seemed to be another homeless body wasting away among the many that wander around America’s great urban centers, struggling with drug use. For a long time, Cathy wandered the streets of Astoria, Oregon, living in the most abject poverty, despite being the heiress to a great fortune. She died without having claimed the nearly one million dollars her mom had left her as an inheritance. Lawyers had tried to reach Cathy by phone and e-mail, but were unable to locate her.
Although it’s sad that a forty-nine-year-old woman died that way, the words of her father, Jack Spithill, keep coming to my mind again and again: «Since I couldn’t understand her health problems, I gave up on her because of her drug use. I shouldn’t have.»
How many of us have given up on dealing with others? Whether within the family, work, social, or church setting, when dealing with people, giving up should not be an option. The best we can do is put ourselves in their place; that way we will be more willing to empathize with their tragedy. Paul wrote to the Galatians, «Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself» (Galatians 6:1). Many are drowning in spiritual misery because we have failed to treat them with «gentleness.» The Greek word the apostle uses, which has been translated as «gentleness,» «denotes something sweet and pleasant.»
Why is it so hard for us to treat people with that gentleness? Because many times we confuse that virtue with a mere courteous action, which often borders on hypocrisy. But the gentleness we need in order to keep on trying to let people know of the inheritance they have in Christ comes from above—it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:23). Therefore, let’s be spiritual.
As we begin this day, let’s ask God to give us the strength not to give up, so that we won’t have that feeling of guilt that troubles Cathy’s father. Let’s tell others, «This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me» (Isaiah 54:17).
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Angelica Cuate
