"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)
What simplicity in action! I learned long ago to love (specifically) Down's-Syndrome children and adults, for they seem to love everyone and hold no malice toward anyone. I'm not sure what it is about that illness that causes this, but anyone who has it that I have met have been the sweetest, kindest, lovingest people I've known. It's too bad someone has to be "Mentally-challenged" to live in accordance with God's will.
How simple this command of God through the prophet Micah! Do justly - judge others the way you want to be judged - full of grace and with an honest measure. Love mercy - both receive and extend the love of God to others (Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do). And to walk humbly with thy God - to realize that every good and perfect thing we have, do, or are is because He gives us the ability and the strength to have it, do it, or be it. We have nothing that hasn't come from Him, and it is only because of His love for us that we live, move, and have our very being. There is nothing in this command the lowest amongst us cannot do.
Yet we live our lives so differently. We rush around in our busy-ness, full of pride, full of self, full of condemnation against anyone who stands in our way or acts, thinks, or looks contrary to us. How sad and how frustrating life is when it is lived this way! Slow down. Breathe. Relax. Listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit within. See others the way God sees them. Let Him live out His life through you. Freely you have received, freely give. It's not that difficult.
My challenge to you, my friend, is simple, and it coincides with the commandments that Jesus gave us: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and body; and, love thy neighbor as thyself. Two simple commands. Not ten, twenty, nor one-hundred. Two. And they both start with the word "love." Find someone to love today. Someone you don't normally interact with, or that you purposely avoid because of their different-ness. Just say hello. Let them know and feel that they have been acknowledged - that they aren't invisible or so repulsive they are unacceptable in proper society. Who knows? You might just make a new friend. You might even have the opportunity to lead them to the Lord and make a huge contribution to their life. Love.
Be blessed.
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