Weeping with the Suffering

While not everyone will live ‘simple’ lives (although theoretically everyone should, with varying degrees of simplicity), we should include ‘weeping with the suffering’ in our spirituality. We ‘weep’ for the weak in our individual and corporate spirituality, and trasnslate that ‘weeping’ into concrete practical living principles.

These are some recommendation.

1. Start our daily devotions and weekly worship services by praying and spending a time of silence to remember the poor and suffering; physical and spiritual, and to remember Christ who came in the midst of our broken world.

2. Read and preach about our call to care and serve the underprivileged.

3. Walk our talk by starting to simplify our lives; with varying degrees of simplicity. Give ample of grace and love for them in their struggle to simplify their living, and forgive those who do not agree with you as well. At least they have heard your advice even though they do nothing about it.

4. Get involved with practical missional living to the poor, which may include relocating our residence to poorer neighbourhoods, getting involved with the lower strata of the community, giving hospitality to our neighbours, helping our neighbours in need, volunteering and giving into local mission / outreach projects, building friendship and bridges with people around us.

5. Live by faith in the Lord Jesus, share the hope that we have in Him, with others, and practice love and charity with people around us. Ultimately its about loving God and loving people passionately and unconditionally.