We should never get so comfortable in life that we forget there are others
around us who are in need physically, emotionally and spiritually. There
are times in life where we become so involved with what we are doing that
we do not see there is a hurting world in need of our intervention. As
children of the Lord, we are to be sensitive to the needs of others and be
quick to lend a helping hand when the opportunity arises. In the spirit of
being helpful even in the simplest way, we will find that it is we who gave
who receive the biggest blessing because we were being used of God to
intervene and affect someone else's day for the better. I pray that we
never allow our comfort state to keep us from intervening in the lives of
others to share His peace and joy to all who are in need. (Galatians 5:13-26)
I hope you are greatly blessed by today's message.
DON'T WE ALL?
One evening I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just
come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider
a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and
no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times
that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of the "Don't want
to be bothered" times.
"I hope he doesn't ask me for money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat
on the curb in front of the bus stop and he didn't look like he could have
enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a
very nice car," he said. He was ragged but had an air of dignity around
him. I said, "Thanks," and continued wiping off my car.
He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came.
As the silence between us widened something inside said, 'ask him if he
needs any help.' I was sure that he would say yes, but I held true to the
inner voice.
"Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound
words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and
women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I
expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke three words that
shook me.
"Don't we all?" he said.
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed
help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare but
enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words
still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have
accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter
how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep,
you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They
are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different
perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily
chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he
was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise to
minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.
Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said,
"Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 5:5-9 Jesus declares "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit
the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are
the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Galatians 6:1-4 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work,
and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."
Hebrews 13:1-3 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them
that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as
being yourselves also in the body."