Carrying Your Neighbor’s Cross

I want to tell you something that you may or may not know. For some of you it might come as a shock, for others it may not surprise you at all, and for some it is a realty being lived. There are people in our area who are still without electricity since Hurricane Rita. These are folks who have been unable to restore their power due to the cost of replacing the weatherhead on their home. You know, that pipe looking “thingamajig” where the power line goes into the residence. The electric company cannot restore the power until the weatherhead is ready and that is the responsibility of the resident. Personally, I was shocked when I heard this information and if you are please read on.
I learned of this at a recent meeting of concerned citizens called Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization for Disaster Recovery (SETIO). Although this group is made up of a number of religious faiths, it is primarily Christians representing churches from Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin counties. The vision for this group is to multiply the funds available through volunteer efforts and restore people’s lives to that of pre-hurricane Rita status (in some cases even better than before). Groups have already been working in homes in our area of Port Arthur and Sabine Pass. As of March 17th, 1684 people from around the country have restored roofs and hung fresh sheetrock. More people are coming in each week to help with this momentous effort (www.setio.org).
Also, the Weather Channel predicts that there is a 41% chance of having another major hurricane hit the Gulf Coast region of the United States this summer. Granted, that may not be our area, but then again… it may be. While this group is new, it is not going away. The Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization for Disaster Recovery is getting organized and it will be there to help if another disaster hits the Golden Triangle.
Luke 14:25-34 states that we are to be totally submissive to Jesus Christ and realize that there is a cost to discipleship. Each person must carry his or her own cross and follow Christ. Luke 23 recalls the man who helped Jesus carry His cross, Simon of Cyrene. He was just a bystander who was called upon to help… and he did. Is it any clearer that we each are called to help our neighbors in need? Don’t we all want to be like Simon? At this time in history, you have the opportunity to pick up your neighbor’s cross and carry it. Yes, it can be heavy, but it becomes lighter when you think about how God looks at you and knows that you are doing His will and helping His other children. I want to challenge you at this moment. Get involved in this project and please be sure that your church, business, or service club is involved as well. Many hands make light work! Assistance is still needed. There is much still to be done. Look beyond yourself and choose to help.