Aretha Robinson: “I'll show you how to do something once, I'll help you if you mess up twice, but the third time you're on your own. 'Cause that's how it is in the world.”
~ Quote from Ray (PG-13)
I initially wrote about this movie a few months after I had seen it in the theater, but I still remembered the amazing performance Jamie Foxx delivered. It didn't take long before you started to believe Foxx really was Ray Charles, it was truly incredible. However, it wasn't just Foxx's performance that made the film...the story of Ray's life was roller-coaster like. With many peaks and valleys you were brought right into the realities of his life...the lessons he learned and others he chose to ignore.
One of the lessons Ray's mother attempted to teach him was how the world would treat him with his disability. She knew that people would only go so far and then leave him to fend for himself. Fact is, I think she may have been a little too charitable when describing what she believed Ray's expectations should be when it comes to help from others. Perhaps she was right for that time in the world, but in today's world it's "every man for himself" and many people just don't offer others help. If you get left by the roadside, there are not many people that will care.
A Christian is called to a different path.[1] We are called to help those in need. We are called to serve those around us...to think of others higher than ourselves.[2] We are called to love[3] and to spread words of love;[4] not only in voice, but in actions.[5] This is what defines us. This is the difference the world can see. This is how you let your light shine before all men.[6]
There are all sorts of people around us that are on their own because no one has been willing to help them. Let's make a difference in the lives of those who need it. Let's make ourselves available for God to do great things through us. Let's be different than the world and not leave anyone on their own.
Verses Reference
[1] Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
[2] Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
[3] Matthew 22:38-40
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
[4] Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
[5] James 2:14-26
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
[6] Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
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