Running ahead

As much as we have become more inclusive as a western society there is still a tendency to leave behind, exclude or look down upon those who are not as able, those who are weak and those who can’t keep up.  The catch cry “survival of the fittest” resonates with many and formulates a world view that those who snooze lose, those who can’t handle change are backwards, inefficient and ineffective.  Those who are older are often considered past their use by date with nothing to offer the newer, ‘smarter’ generation.  People who are sick, disabled, addicted and foreign can be seen as a drain on time, energy and resources.  Of course this cannot be acknowledged out loud and in public because of the outcry.  Nevertheless if we are honest with ourselves, it can be frustrating to have to wait for someone to catch up or to pass up opportunity because we are helping or caring for someone.  We can get impatient with those who just don’t get it because for us it is relatively simple.  As followers of Jesus we are called to a different outlook on those who are falling behind.  We are called to patiently and lovingly encourage, support, nuture, carry and wait for each other.  We are called to be a family that grows together as opposed to a society that grows apart.  We are called to be a church that walks together as opposed to a world that leaves people behind.