|
There can be little dispute as to the value of visiting. There
is great good that can be done by this very small action. Consider
the following:
Friendships Are Made
There is little that compares with time spent in someone's company
to form and nurture a friendship. No one bonds in any full sense
with someone whose company he or she never shares. The Bible says,
"He who would have friends must show himself friendly."
People forget this and accuse others of unfriendliness when in
truth the complainant hasn't made any effort to start the ball
rolling. Are you lonely? Visit! Is someone else lonely? He may
need your visit.
Ties Are Strengthened
The bonds of brotherhood are strong because of our common experiences
as well as our common beliefs. Even earthly brothers separated
by miles and time may grow apart. But those whose time is spent
with each other in pleasant interchange or in commonly held challenges
grow to love each other more and more whether the tie be in the
flesh or in the Lord. Are your friendships shallow? Visit! Do
you want to be a more meaningful part of others' lives? Visit!
Encouragement Is Given
The lonely among us are most in danger of disappointment and despair.
How many are there who live alone and seldom hear a voice or see
a face but on the television? We are social creatures and we are
at our best when we act socially. Too much isolation tends to
give a person an unbalanced perspective of his world. Communication
helps to mend many problems. Those whose lives are being lived
out as bleak existence can be helped most and quickest by our
caring enough to visit them. Of course, this requires that we
develop caring hearts. Is someone's faith wavering? Visit! Is
your faith merely academic? Visit!
Jesus Is Magnified
Our Lord was the best example of the visiting that improves an
unfriendly world. He "went about doing good." Jesus
found the needs of people and helped when he could without overshadowing
his mission of soul-saving. He visited the rich and the poor,
the gregarious and the monastic. The only visits the Bible records
as unwelcome were to those whose hearts were perverse and hated
the truth. Still, Jesus did his part, and no one could take away
the merit of his actions. What was the result? The common people
received him gladly. Men still follow him. The Father said, "Well
done!"
What is the point of visiting? You may never fully understand
its value until you participate yourself. The best part from a
human point of view, though, is that your example may lead someone
to visit you someday when you need it.
|
