On The Right

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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 foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

This passage followed me while I was in the hospital. I wasn't cognitively healthy, but I still meditated on this passage while at the hospital. As much as I could, I visited the other residence. I wish I could tell you about the friendships I made in the hospital, but privacy laws don't permit me. Still, God gave me an awesome opportunity to see the weak, the outcast, and heal those who suffer. God's wedding will be filled with these people: the rejected, the broken, the helpless, the poor, the lost, and the needy (Matthew 22). 

It is common to live in a culture where everyone fakes health and wholeness. It was lovely to surround myself with wretches like me. When people are at the bottom, it is easier to welcome them into your heart. Conceited people are far more repugnant. I don't desire to suffer another episode, but I don't regret meeting the people I met. I saw Jesus reflected in their eyes. There remains an ostracized community that belongs to Jesus and He introduces me to them. It was such a glorious present to receive during a very dark time of my life.