Friday in Focus ~ The Fallow Ground

by, Alycia Morales
@AlyciaMorales
 
Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor;

And for lack of justice there is waste.

Proverbs 13:23

For years, this verse has caused me to stop and think. Selah.

Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but we tend to look at outward appearances and pass by. In our hurry or out of our fear, we neglect to take the time to stop and consider what lies beneath the surface. The filthy skin. The greasy or knotted hair. The torn clothing. The stench from lack of bathing. The things we don't want to touch. Don't want to deal with.

Sound familiar? There's a little story in the Bible that talks of big compassion. We know it as the tale of the Good Samaritan.

Outward appearances can be deceiving. So can our own perceptions or biases. We need to Stop. Notice. Respond. We need to push past our fear of what we may have to do to help. Who we may need to help. What others may think if we're seen helping.

We need to till up what others see as the fallow ground. Plant a seed. Water it with hope. Shower it with sunshine. Tend it. Remove the weeds. Feed it. Wait in faith and watch it bear fruit.

Because God created those we see as poor in His image and likeness too. And He has a plan and a purpose for them too. Who are we to overlook? To judge? To condemn?

You never know what tree may grow from your kindness. What fruit they may bear. What glory may show up. The person others are overlooking may be the next Olympic gymnast, best-selling author, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks... You get the picture.

Tweetable:
Why do we need to till up the fallow ground? @AlyciaMorales shares her thoughts. {Click to Tweet}

Are your own perceptions & biases deceiving you? {Click to Tweet}