Tolerate thy Neighbor (Part 3 of 3)

Emmanuel was one of our guides while hiking up Sky Mountain in Haiti. He had no shoes so, he asked a neighbor if he could borrow shoes to take us up the mountain. All the while we climbed up the mountain, he was patient with the many breaks, I'm embarrassed to say, I forced the group to take. On our way down the mountain, Emmanuel was the one to volunteer to run, what seemed down half the Earth, to get water for us to drink. We had 3 other guides with us, but while we lay near death, they just left us. Later we found out, to go rest underneath a shaded area of trees. Emmanuel however, stayed with us, and without a second thought went to get water for us.

 Now, I don't know what God did to Emmanuel, but he was down and back up the mountain within 30 minutes. It took us 4 hours just to get up the mountain. When he returned with water, he gave us the water with a smile. As we were hydrating, Emmanuel said he would even be willing to carry Brandi, the other female director, and me down the mountain if he needed to. I wondered: Who is this guy willing to help us spoiled American strangers? He said he is a Christian that attends Pastor Damils' church. 

It made me think about his actions. Emmanuel speaks Creole, so it wasn't his words that made him a Christian, but his actions. And his actions are just an expression of his heart. I had to wonder would I treat a neighbor with such love? Especially a neighbor in the world's view, more blessed than I because they are richer? Would I be obedient to God? If God told me to take some people to a place I know is a rough place to go, and then save them when they were in desperate need, and then do it with a smile? Could I...could you? 

Or would I first begin by making excuses on why I shouldn't obey? "I don't even have shoes, why go?" I didn't get enough sleep, why go?" "I don't really know those people, they'll make it without me, so I won't go." Would I have patience while serving my neighbor? Or would I complain? Could God use me to save someone because I have the right attitude and willingness to follow Him. Or would I be lazy and become crossed when God asks me to serve someone when I didn't see any benefit I could get out of it? And finally, after all the thank you's for my help and service, would I give God the glory, or would I boast on how my agility and personal strength got the job accomplished? Would I act like a Christian that LOVES thy neighbor or would I act like a Christian who just TOLERATES thy neighbor? 

Emmanuel reminded me of what it means to be an ambassador for Christ.The other guides left us, but Emmanuel was obedient and willing to sacrifice. If Emmanuel wasn't the Christian he is, we wouldn't have made it off the mountain. Emmanuel was obedient to God's plan to take us up a mountain. He was patient with us and his life saving actions demonstrated Christian love. AND he didn't expect to receive anything in return. He didn't have money or even shoes, but God used him greatly. 

How many times has God wanted to use us to save someone for His glory, but our attitudes and disobedience kept Him from using us fully. God uses people to do the work of his kingdom. With obedience, we can align ourselves up with the will of God over our lives. If He used Emmanuel, a young man who doesn't even have a decent pair of shoes, then I know He wants to use you.  Emmanuel is praying to go to seminary to become a pastor. This is a brother who needs a mentor and partner to financially support his instruction at seminary. Please keep this young servant in your prayers.