Band of Sisters was born of a desire to end modern-day slavery and to answer the question: what can I do to help in a need so desperate?
To answer that question characters look beyond themselves, and ask, “What would Jesus do?”
By recounting the things Jesus taught and the life He modeled, He’s already given us answers. It is only for us to employ them, to follow in His steps.
Jesus would:
- Open His hand and His heart to those society spurns, not only receiving those who come to Him, but He would go out and search for and engage them: as when He ate with publicans and sinners, as when He called Zacchaeus from the tree.
- He would give medical help: as when He healed the woman with the issue of blood—the woman no one else wanted to touch, the man born blind, the paraplegic let down through a roof, and countless others.
- He would not hesitate to confront the darkest of the dark to free victims—the things and people and forces we’d rather not see or deal with: as when He drove demons from the young man, and from Mary Magdalene.
- He would open His purse strings, even His home to the needy: as when He commanded us to give to widows and orphans, as when hounded by Herod, he personally demonstrated the helpless plight of refugees.
- He would expect that those who could help financially for this ministry and need would do so: as He accepted gifts from those able to finance His ministry.
- He would protect lives and argue for victims legally—even those who’d made mistakes society deems unforgivable: as He did for the woman taken in adultery—the woman in danger of being stoned.
- He would accept the thanks of and stand for those who looked to Him for answers. He would maintain a relationship with them, even when they were misunderstood by society: as He did for the woman who anointed His feet.
- He would hold to account those who victimize others: as He did when He declared that for anyone who makes one of His little ones to stumble it would be better if a millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea.
- He would raise awareness and educate society against this evil as much as against any evil, and encourage parents to train their children to love God and care for and respect one another: as He taught them everyday of His life.
- He would advocate for the human dignity and worth of all, women included: as He did when He breached society’s laws by allowing the unclean woman, desperately hoping for healing, to touch Him, when He reached out to the Samaritan woman, who lived with a man not her husband, and when He died on a cross in our place.
We all live in different circumstances with different connections and opportunities. By employing Jesus’ strategies creatively we can all do something. By banding together, as the women did in Band of Sisters, we can accomplish so much more. Next week we’ll consider some unique opportunities to join others in this work.
I hope you’re as excited about these possibilities as I am. I’d love to hear—either here or through my website—the potential you see in your life and community to help.
Autumn is truly here. I love the changing September light and even the intricate spiders’ webs woven on dew covered grass these early mornings—sparkling diamonds in sunlight.
A cup of hot cider and a stroll along the Laurel Run sounds just the ticket.
Looking forward to seeing you here, in the garden, next week.
God’s rich blessings for your week,