YOUR NEXT STEP, PLEASE!
Sunday’s Monday
Odd title; right? Please continue reading, there is a story here. This question has bounced around in my head a lot over the years and I have written on the subject before. I know it’s part of life and God uses it as a teaching tool, but it is dealing with people and people can be so unpredictable. So here is the reason for the question, God sends you someone who is suffering from anxiety and all the bad qualities that come with it. What do you do? Don’t stop reading because you think you know the answer. You may be part of those unpredictable people and we don’t know how or when our circumstances may change to show it. Look at Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG), 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Please re-read! I used the Message because of the uniqueness of the interpretation.
As one who carries a compassion for hurting people because of personal experience, I’ve learned the circumstances along with the boundaries are never one size fits all. Just as people are unpredictable, so is each situation that’s breaking them down. There can only be one foundation (Jesus), floored (by us) with layers of truth and covered with compassionate love before we will ever be able to help. There will be stages of growth that will develop as our relationship grows of which Jesus will be in the middle helping with those. The whole idea is to retrain their thinking from selfish, worldly me, to Jesus, nothing but Jesus. This is twofold teaching along with testing; it will display where you are, who you are, and most of all what you are willing to do, for relief. Question: Are you more like Jesus today than yesterday? Hebrews 13:16 (NLT), And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
Here’s a real-life example of the title: What’s your next step? When a possible brother in Christ shows up in your church one Sunday morning, smelling and looking like he just crawled out of a dumpster. Truthfully the church doesn’t want him because they don’t know what to do for him and he smells, which makes things even worse. A few members may walk by with a kind word and give him money with the promise of prayer but deep in their hearts they are praying this person never returns. It seems that even with Jesus living within us, we still can’t find the compassion Jesus has for people. I consistently hear I don’t know what to do for them, so I do nothing or I used to give them money until I found out that was bad because I was enabling them to stay as they are. A man receiving everything he needs has little reason to desire change. Society needs to stop donating and start investing and by that ask God to give you a heart filled with His compassionate ideas to make their lives better. Then love them too much to leave them as you find them. Stop being a spectator and become a player! Don’t give them money, invite them for coffee or a meal. Get to know a little about them but more than that let them get a glimpse of Jesus within you. Who knows, you may like them and help them to escape their less-than-desirable situation. Just as it is written in Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT), Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Father God, I submit my life to you along with this verse of scripture asking that all people open their hearts to family, friends, neighbors, associates, etc. that we may offer a hand in love, a nod of acceptance, a hug of commitment, a spirit of oneness, a smile of perseverance, and a word of encouragement. Let no one be in doubt of our integrity or have reason to question our motives. Have us give unto them exactly what You have so graciously given to us. Teach us to believe and live that which is in your heart as it is recorded in John 15:12 (MSG), This is my command: Love one another the way I love you. We are the difference for someone. Amen
BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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