Visiting

March 9

Read: James 1:27a

Visiting

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…” (v.27)

A life of faith means looking out for those most vulnerable and exposed. In the ancient world, this meant orphans and widows. Each represents a group who has lost the ones who would normally look out for them: wives without husbands and children without parents. It is interesting that the verse says to “visit orphans and widows”.

Imagine “visiting” with someone. My grandmother would talk about “paying someone a visit” or “visiting” with her friends. To sit with someone, be present, talk to them and more importantly listen to them… this is “visiting”. You cannot “visit” someone without being present and near to them. Visiting is terribly inefficient. It does not fit in our fast-paced world. It takes a commitment to others… to a relationship… that is uncommon in our world. This is a noble practice of faith… this is “religion that is pure and undefiled”. This means more than sending money to some organization while safely at a distance!

It doesn’t stop there; the text calls us to visit orphans and widows “in their affliction”. Who wants to visit another person “in their affliction”? It can be uncomfortable to sit with someone when they are suffering. You don’t always know what to say. Sometimes you feel helpless… like there is nothing that you can do to solve the problem or hurt. To “visit” someone “in their affliction” is to meet them when they are most vulnerable and alone. This is how the Lord works through his people - bringing hope and life to the vulnerable and exposed. This is  “religion that is pure and undefiled”… this is the life of faith.

Yesterday, we saw how walking the life of faith means bridling the tongue… controlling your words. Today we see that  the walk of faith means looking our for those most vulnerable an exposed - and doing that in a way that is personal, real, and organic. There are no “shortcuts” for caring this way. We cannot “scale-up” visiting with those who are hurting… we cannot “outsource” this part of the faith journey. Who are those that the Lord has put around you… brought into your sphere that are in need of you paying them a visit? Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the people who are in need of care… of a “visit”. Love you guys. -JDP