“Throw Away” People

This discarded can, designed and marketed to sell one thing, when empty is tossed aside. The owner of this former beverage holder cared so much for the container, they tossed it out the window to where you see it now. Unwanted, uncared for, out of content, the container becomes a useless throwaway.

This is not an ‘accident’, too far from the edge of the road, rolling uphill is unlikely, plus, every week, in a similar location, a sibling of the empty container is found. Thus, it is with intent. Although the precise reason is unknown, having experienced the same pattern over the years, it is meant to be a distraction. To get us to focus on the castaway container as merely refuse, and become upset over the way people discard unwanted items.

Yet, how often do we see human beings being thrown aside in the same callous disregard? Harsh words, insulting deeds, ridicule and heartless jokes are weapons of darkness and evil, not salt and light. How we treat others, yes, even those who have nothing left to give to us, no way to contribute, defines who we really are on the inside. How I (we) treat others let’s people know whom we genuinely worship!

Compassionately loving others doesn’t mean we abandon truth, truth and love are not inseparable in God. Failure to love out loud, or to proclaim His Truth, are both failures to be obedient. Yet, we are careful to look for reasons to exclude those on the very bottom levels of society, because it is hard, dirty, time consuming, expensive, and there is no guarantee of any return on the tototality of our investment. Let’s just take a look at the ‘container’, make a judgement call, and discard the person, based on what we can see.

Dad once told me, “Do not let the possibility someone may take advantage of your compassion, prevent you from trying to help hurting people. Don’t leave one who needs rescue, because the last ten abused you.” Solid advice, biblically sound, from the heart of man who lives his life for the Master.

I will pick up the discarded container, and make sure it gets where it needs to go. If you see someone who has been used, abused, and tossed aside, help them get where they need to go. Be a person who believes in redemption. Let the redeemed of the Lord, live like it.

It is not about what was, but what now is, and what is to become.

Be the light in your corner of the world.

Peace,

Roy