I’m excited that Hungry for God: Hearing God’s Voice in the Ordinary and Everyday is releasing this month. Several friends read the manuscript in its early stages including, Chris Heuertz. He’s part of an organization called Word Made Flesh, which works among the poorest of the poor around the world.
Because of his work, Chris has an understanding of what it means to be Jesus among the poor that I do not.
One day Chris challenged me when he said, “Margaret, do you realize that in your writing, you call people lepers?” I immediately thought of the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers in Luke 17. Only one returns to give thanks.
Chris went on to explain that the World Health Organization, among many others, are trying to eradicate the word “leper” from the English language, because it over-identifies someone with how they suffer, as well as the negative social implications that the disease carries. Instead of using the phrase, “lepers”, Chris challenged me to use the phrase, “Men or women with leprosy.” In other words, the disease is not the sum of the person.
A minor but meaningful change.
After the conversation with Chris, I began going back to the Scripture and realizing that whenever Jesus encounters someone with a disease, he never sees the disease as much as he sees the person. In my own relationships, I began to realize how often I’d allow a disease or diagnosis of someone I know to become the main focal point. I end up seeing the disease or dis-ease more than the person. Because of my relationship with Chris, an awareness came into my heart that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. And I’m grateful.
Are there any words you’re using more or refusing to use out of love for others?
*Photo courtesy of here
