Taking Care of Those in Need

Last night, we hiked up to Palisade Falls in southwestern Montana. I wrote about that area recently; it's a geologic wonder to behold. Sitting up on a rocky ledge, I found myself just looking at the waterfall for a moment, taken aback by its height and size. I had wanted to shoot it in a way that would match everything I was taking in, but found myself unable to put anything together in my mind.

I finally decided to head off my ledge and try shooting from the base. While going up isn't too hard, coming down is a serious challenge.

If you've ever been to the location, you will recall that the area around the falls is mostly a rock pile. As such, it can be treacherous.

Regardless, the point of this post is not my visit to this spot, though I may touch on that in later writing.

I'll simply say, a culmination of events led me to become a bit emotional as the night ended. A conversation with a family up at the falls, some other personal things, and a post I read from Tim Challies, here, all led me to think a little bit about those either in need of care or less well off.

The Bible speaks much about taking care of the least of these: orphans and widows especially. The Psalmist mentions God takes care of the hungry, the prisoner, those who are bowed low, and many others in need (Psalm 146).

And part of how He does that is through us. And that's basically the gist of this post today: that we be mindful of our part.

It might be taking care of our elderly parents, helping people in our church who are less fortunate, or even something as simple as praying for those we come across who are in need. Of course, we must be mindful of James' warning even on that:

"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" - James 2:15-16

So, a simple and short post, but I hope a thoughtful reminder to be ready in helping those God has placed under your care, by His grace.

Even more, a reminder to be ever ready to present that which is most needed: the gospel of Jesus Christ.