So I just submitted a state mandated annual report to the Maryland State Bar Association about whether I had represented any court cases pro bono- that is, whether I had voluntarily represented any indigent clients for free who were in need of legal services but couldn’t afford to hire a lawyer. Most attorneys I know would grumble at the thought of doing cases for free (this is our livelihood after all) and the fact we’re required to report the number of pro bono hours has a bit of a forced charity to it that diminishes the gesture. Why do lawyers have to donate their particular expertise anyway?!? Whose idea was that? Why don’t other folks have to volunteer according to their occupations? For example why don’t mailmen have to volunteer delivering mail for free? Why aren’t street mimes required to mime for free?
This is just good-natured whining and ranting of course which is my wont to do (but don’t worry I won’t sue street mimes). The sermon today is on God’s desire to have an intimate loving relationship with us through the gift of his Son Christ Jesus on the cross. There is a profound sense of love we experience through Christ that transcends any human emotion. God’s love is unconditional. But nevertheless when we truly experience God’s love for us it calls us to action and releases us from our natural hesitation I described above in order to express our love for the Lord.
But it occurred to me that God’s “love languages” don’t all necessarily apply directly back to Him. By that I mean that yes God is pleased when we lift up praise and adoration to Him and give Him all the glory (eg Words of Affirmation and Quality Time). However, God does not personally need any of our tithing and gifts and He most certainly does not need any pro bono Acts of Service from me or anyone else whatsoever, mimes included. But the beauty of God’s exquisite grand design to his Gospel message of love is that we obey his second command, which is to love one another as He loves us. So each of us is gifted in God’s unconditional love. And so as God compels us to do, therefore we ought to be striving for ways in which to express that love unconditionally towards others through something as simple as a kind gesture towards another in a desperate time of need. It then becomes the natural flow from our desire to live in communion with God, regardless of our occupation or social status.
That kind of unconditional expression of love towards others transcends any state mandated requirement. Amen to that.
From Pastor Mark’s Heart
June 22, 2014