Eddy Currents

 

Eddy Currents

Matthew 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

     We have the pleasure of living by the Missouri River.  Winding its way by Sioux City, it graces us on the western edge.  Spawning a diversity of life, it encourages activities such as Rivercade and a marina.  Soccer fields, restaurants, and industry line its banks.  Overhead bridges span her width connecting a once formidable barrier to travel.  With a bed cut low, the river follows its course and usually does not complain.  Jetties launch out into the current to save the banks from erosion.  A curious wake turns as the water is peeled off their tips.  The main current, stripped of its momentum, cycles back on itself depositing silt and held sediment.

     “Wait a minute.”  They beg us.  Out of the mainstream, jetties have reached out to capture and circle them around.   As if they contribute nothing to the main flow, friction they provide stealing force from the center thrust of society.

     Perhaps you know them.  You will find them residing in nursing homes or living homeless alongside the road.  They are the takers not contributing to this living organism we call active community.  They require time investment and are considered a liability.  Such are kept out of the public eye as shut ins reside in homes with locked doors.  As eddy currents, they swirl vainly attempting to incorporate again.  Seeing life pass them by, disengagement seems the only coping mechanism.

     Jesus’ heart goes out to such as these.  He knows suffering.  It takes many forms.  Alienation and isolation come to visit when one’s health decays and they become a burden.  Shuffling off care as it overwhelms, we turn it over to the professionals.  Nurses consolidate and policemen disseminate.  With our hands free, we engage once again in the present of the day.

Luke 18:35 “And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

     Jesus stopped.  He turned His attention to an eddy current alongside the road.  The blind man had been passed by before.  Others ignored him as he begged, but Jesus raised his condition to honor when He took time to consider.  Simply using His resources at will, He helped where He could.

     God asks us today to do what we can.  To those put aside and forgotten, convince them they are still part of the river.  All are needed if the water is to flow.

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