Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Wednesday’s Devotion: Concerns of the Heart


Hebrews 13:1-3  Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.  Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!  Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Yesterday I heard a lot about hearts.  I started the day by talking to a friend about pacemakers. During a segment on The Doctors, one of the docs told the TV audience that it was possible to die from a broken heart. On the news, the local health editor said that to prevent heart disease people needed to not smoke, to eat a low fat diet and get aerobic exercise. Then I read an article in the July 10th Christian Century that said,
“Long-lasting loneliness can make humans sick and even cause death.  Emotional isolation and lack of intimacy is as high a risk a factor for death as smoking. The diseases exacerbated by loneliness are Alzheimer’s, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer.”  Maybe there is something to say about sites like Match.com!  When we drive down the street we never know who is sitting all alone in the houses we pass and struggling with loneliness.  The Beatles sang, “All the Lonely People.”  As Christians, we are called to reach out to those people and to share the love of Christ.  If you can, invite them to church where they may find genuine care and fellowship.

Loving God, we ask that you lead us to the lonely so that we may offer them friendship and Christ-like love.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Christ,
Paige

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