Are You Ready?

So the other day in class we had a guest speaker. He was the head of the Center for Jewish Studies, Dr. Mark Ellis. While discussing the importance of "rediscovering" Judaism, he mentioned that he was ready for judgment day so he could be judged. This got me thinking about if I could say the same thing. Am I ready to be judged? Dr. Ellis said that although part of him wasn't looking forward to the idea (for fear of "missed opportunities"), he was more ready to stand before God and give his account on how he has helped the "poor and needy."

I began to examine myself to see if I could say the same. Could I stand before the Almighty God and give an account of how well I was to the poor, the needy, the less fortunate, etc. Leviticus makes it very clear that we are to "love our neighbors as ourselves" (Leviticus 19). In the same chapter it tells about how we are too help the poor and needy by giving them food and inviting them in if they are a stranger. We are to show those "different" then us the same hospitality as we would show one of our "kind". This statement was not just left for the Old Testament, but Christ quotes this numerous times and to prove his point even gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan. James even mentions this when discussing faith and works.

So again, could I stand boldly before God and confidence knowing I have done my best to fight for the helpless? Have I gone out of my way to be the voice for the voiceless? I am scared to give an accurate answer because I know I have had so many of those missed opportunities.

I know turn the question outward. Are you ready to stand before God and loudly proclaim with confidence that you have done your best to help the poor? Have you given your all to help someone in need? Or will you cower away in fear of the wrath of God in judgement for not living up to His command?