As servants called according to the will of God, we must fulfill His calling by relying on His truth and love.
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A grain of wheat
How do we pray for people—say their names like items on a list? In his prayers, the prophet Amos saw and felt for Israel not in the way we usually do, but from a deeper, spiritual perspective (Amos 7:2,5). When we see problems in the church, or a member doing wrong, do we dismiss it as not our problem? In a self-centered generation, and in Singapore, where many of us are busy and stressed, we may be wary of any extra burden. Interestingly, the name, “Amos”, probably meant “burden” or “burden-bearer” in Hebrew.
The Bible does not record any wrong that Amos had done. If we were an upright and humble man like Amos (Amos 7:4), we may question God in desperation: “What more do You want from me?” Yet Amos obeyed the God who called him. He fulfilled God’s calling for him as a prophet to bear the burden of others. He feared for the day when weak Israel were to stand before God’s judgment (Amos 7:2,5). He was likely exhausted, having to plead for them and reach out to them time and again.
Caring for people is easier when you are respected and loved in return, when someone deserves our effort. But Amos’s deep concern for the people was never reciprocated; he knew how evil, selfish and proud they were (Amos 7:10-13,16). Having seen and experienced the worst side of someone, it is only natural to dislike them, and protect ourselves by avoiding them. Yet Amos did not run away from his duty and give up on them, like Jesus who loved us and died for us when we were still sinners (Rom 5:6-8).
We may not be able to sacrifice our lives like Jesus did. Yet if today, we are able to sacrifice what is most important to us for those who least deserve our love, we may be a little closer to understanding the heart of God. It’s not all that difficult nor commendable when you love only those who love you (Lk 6:26-36). To be like Jesus, we have to follow the narrow way that leads to life (Mt 7:13-14), and have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5-8).
Amos loved Israel with God’s love. He did not stand by and condone their wrong. He spoke the heavy truth, even when he knew that doing so would cause people to dislike him (Amos 7:17). Do we fear man more than God? Do we remain silent even when we see something that’s not right in God’s eyes? If we truly have God’s love and truth in us like the prophet Amos once did, we’ll see the spiritual state of people before God, and do the works of Him who sent us while it is day (Jn 9:4).