Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 1114 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
The Least of These – Meditation Monday
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1114 of our trek, and it is time for Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.
For you, it may just be time alone for quiet reflection. You may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life, meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body. As you come along with me on our trek each Meditation Monday, it is my hope and prayer that you too will experience a time for reflection and renewing of your mind.
When you hear about those who are in need, what is your response? Whether it is because they have fallen on hard times financially, have lost a spouse through death or divorce, are ill, or have had an accident, what do you do for them?
In today’s meditation let us consider…
The Least of These
The title for today’s meditation comes from a parable that Jesus taught us in Matthew [25:34]-40. Let me read that passage.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
As Christ followers, we are to be assisting the building of God’s Kingdom here on earth. This is not done through piety or fancy sermons. It is accomplished by getting our hands dirty, by living with and doing life with those who are downtrodden, by sharing a meal and other resources with those who are in need…It is comforting those who are ill or have lost a close loved one. It may not include any speaking but just sitting and holding someone who has lost all that they hold dear to them. This is what building the Kingdom of God is all about. Are you willing to do this?
When we are willing to help those who cannot return anything back to us, then we are becoming the disciples that Jesus told us about in this parable.
It is hard for me to “put myself out there” and help others on a close basis, and I suspect that it is difficult for you also. That is not an excuse, though. Sometimes, no many times, we need to step outside our comfort zone, and help those who cannot help themselves.
This reminds me of a time in my life where I was thrust into a situation such as this. A fellow associate who worked for the same company as I did was falsely accused by a couple of people about serious crimes he did not commit. Although he was perfectly legal, he was also not a citizen of the US and was from Central America. He was, from an intellect perspective, very gifted.
Because of these false allegations he unexpectedly and without warning was arrested one night and taken to the county jail and locked up. No one at the company knew about what had happened until he did not report in for work. I knew him a little bit outside of work as he also attended the same church we were attending, but we did not know him well. And our circles rarely crossed.
When the company found out where he was, I was called because of our church association and was asked if I could find out some details. Although it was uncomfortable for me, I visited this co-worker and fellow believer. After finding out what happened, God placed on my heart to visit him weekly. Little did I realize that he would be locked up for 18 months before he was scheduled for trial.
The prosecutors continually tried to get him to accept a plea bargain, but knowing that he had not committed any crimes, he refused to bow to the pressure. This strung out his incarceration much longer than expected. During these 18 months, as much as possible, I was able to visit him each week, and also sent him books and cards. Finally he did have his day in court, and it was very evident that the charges were completely false and he was exonerated of all charges. This was a very difficult time for him, and my prayer is that my small part will impact his life for God’s Kingdom in a major way.
I don’t mention this story to bring any attention to myself, but as an example of how we need to be sensitive and ready to assist in doing the small, impactful actions that help to build God’s Kingdom. You may be able to assist others without even taking much note about it. Others may never notice the small and random acts of kindness that you are able to perform, but that is okay. God, our King, sees them, and he tells us, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”
Be sensitive to opportunities that come your way each day. Always be building God’s kingdom.
That is a wrap for today’s meditation. Next week we will continue our trek on Meditation Monday as we take time to reflect on what is most important in creating our living legacy. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1113 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!