Mere Mortals?

"All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other [eternal] destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities. . .that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no 'ordinary' people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals  whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously -- no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner -- no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment."

--C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

(emphasis mine)

At my church, we have a chance on Sunday nights to go different 10-week classes which focus on one subject.  The class I’ve been going to is called The Truth Project.  It is a series of videos that explain the foundation of the Bible.  It’s been amazing, and I’ve learned so much!

Last night, the lesson discussed the Biblical sphere of community.  I wasn’t expecting much, but wow, was I caught off guard!  One of our jobs as Christians is to help the needy and the poor.  If you’re anything like me, initially you say to yourself, “Yep, got this one done,” and then just turn off your brain.  Thankfully, this time the speaker, Del Tackett, caught me before I turned off my brain.  He began to explain that the poor and needy are not only  people who are low on cash or unhealthy… they are also the left-out, the unpopular, the ignored, the shunned, and the outcasts.

As the speaker went on explaining who is included in the "outcast" group, I was hit hard.  I immediately thought of three girls in my school that I know I could have befriended, but I chose not to because--in my mind-- they were not worth it.


The first girl is a lot younger than me, but every morning she said hi to me.  At the time, I thought it was really weird because I really didn’t know her.  So, I would just say hi back, and then go on my way.  This happened almost every day. It wasn’t till now that it hit me that this girl was desperately crying out for a friend, and all I did was ignore her.  I knew that she was not popular and had a rough home life, but I’m ashamed to say I still didn’t care.  My only hope is that she comes back to school with me next year so I will have another chance to make an effort to become her friend and show her someone cares.

The second girl is a foreign exchange student that had the locker next to mine.  I would try to say hi and ask her how her day was going, but our conversations never got past that.  I know I could have put more effort into that relationship and done more to make her feel comfortable in America.  But the good news is I’m nearly guaranteed a second chance with this girl.  She is planning to live with us in the coming school year so she can come back to school in America.  I’m excited to see what will come of this relationship.

The third girl is a peer very close to me in age.  I put more effort into this relationship more than the other two. This girl is really nice but very shy.  Probably the shyest person I’ve ever met.  We actually did become friends this past year, but I know that towards the end of the year I got busy and selfish over investing my energy and care into our relationship.  I didn’t want to take the time to help her get involved in a class discussion, and I would even get irritated and think, "What is wrong with her? Can't she talk to people on her own?"  I know better and should have been more compassionate.  By God's grace, she'll return to my school in the fall and with the Lord's strength I can be more understanding and be a better friend.

As you meet people today, remember, “You have never talked to a mere mortal.”  Every person is an immortal soul that is going either to heaven or hell.  It’s our job as Christians to humble ourselves, show them we care, and help them see Jesus.

When you read that quote, who came to your mind? That co-worker down the hall?  That cashier you see every week at the grocery store?  The young mom who lives next door?  The young man or girl who comes to church sometimes, but isn't even approached because he or she dresses  differently? Find out their story, love them and become their friend so that we can show them the best friend of all, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 35:10

All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which delivers the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoils him?

AT (High School Senior)