HOW DO YOU SEE ME?
Sunday’s Monday
I don’t usually start off with a question, but this is that important. What do you see when you first see a homeless person, an alcoholic, a drug addict, or a prostitute? What is the first thought that rushes through your mind? Be honest! Is it what you see, what you think you are supposed to see? Does your mind fill with thoughts of condemnation and judgment for that person? Is your attitude toward such a situation “total avoidance”, because of the feelings the world has taught you? So many people think it prudent to feel pity and hand money to those suffering in pain and poverty. When in fact this only helps to diminish their self-esteem and negate their confidence. We hand them money to lessen our feeling of spiritual guilt, when in fact it may have been fitting to suggest they join you for a meal, and then invite them to church. Because we know only Jesus can restore their spiritual senses which have been polarized through their isolation from God, destroying spiritual values, and forcing them to abide with people of like kind.
The downside to defeating “undesirable”, isn’t a one-size-fits-all problem, people come in many different flavors. If we choose to walk in the footsteps of Jesus being obedient to God. He will literally give you the sight to see beyond the rapper, without judgment or condemnation of the person or the situation. He is grace and mercy and above all He is Lord and Savior to all who believe with all their heart that He lived, died, and rose from the dead. This is written in John 3:16-17 (NLT), “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. The 17th verse is where we often put ourselves above Jesus as we continually judge (maybe not on purpose or with malice), but those first thoughts can be quite harsh. However, this too has a great purpose as a measuring tool for our spiritual growth. Is our heart becoming more like the heart of Jesus?
John 3:17 (NLT), God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. This is how I felt Jesus explain it to me. My Father did not put people on the planet to please you, they are each in a position to grow you to be more like me, for I am My Father God! You are where you are for my purpose and your- good! I have given a measure of discernment that I will continually strengthen as long as you cooperate with me. WOW! Knocked me off of my pedestal. Then I read Mark 10:45 (NLT), For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. So, I gave the gavel to Jesus, as the thought came to me that I was once undesirable. My late Pastor Joe Dillard continually preached to me; never judge another person because you have no clue of what they have been through to get this far. Actually, I do, because I once was where they are! My best advice on judging is to start with yourself to better understand how it works.
The question I ask myself when I meet someone in trouble is the same question, I ask myself when I am lost and trying to find my place. Do you see me? Why are you seeing only what is before you? I am so much more than who I look like I am! Right now, I’m lost and can’t find my way. I can see in your eyes that you see a wretched, dirty, lazy, dumb person who is homeless, and you’ll turn away to keep from getting involved. Can’t you see the real me that’s covered in tons of hurt, acquired from years of trauma and the absolute absence of any type of love? My soul cries out to you to open your eyes and help me see what I have lost all sight of. Think of it this way, when you see what you call a vagrant instead of shoving money at them simply spend 10 minutes talking to them. Give them the decency of feeling like you care, and they are worth your time. Every person needs to feel visible! They need confirmation that they exist because God loves them. Psalms 32:8 (NLT), The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
I will pray the prayer of serenity over us because it speaks truth to life in many ways. God grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next. Amen.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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