“Help others without any reason, and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.” (Roy T. Bennett)
I believe there are several
reasons why I fail to serve those less fortunate than me (like the homeless and
those emotionally broken). It’s easy to get wrapped up in the details of my
life, and forget others need what I have to offer.
Stepping outside of my
comfort zone is not something I enjoy doing, or want to do on purpose. I am,
and always will be a creature of habit. I want my version of my world to stay
predictable according to my standards.
Proverbs 19:17 (ERV) says: Giving help to the poor is like
loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness. I always want to be obedient to my heavenly Father as I
strive to be the best Christian I can be. When I aid those less fortunate (than
me), I am actually serving and showing my love to Him.
I also don’t enjoy serving
those less fortunate than me because it scares me. Since my retirement (because
of cancer) I try not to think what could happen if my wife were to lose her
job. Here are some of the things I
anticipate could occur. With the loss of a steady pay check, we would eventually
lose our home (and be homeless), which would include our three Chihuahuas, and
our Minnesota daughter would have no place to visit us. Eventually, money would
run out for my bi-polar medication. If some of you thought I was crazy on it,
you don’t want to know the quick downward emotional decline that would happen
if I went off it suddenly.
I have to stop myself from
further imaging that horrendous “what if” I hope will never come to past. I
would pray in this situation that divine intervention would happen. Anyway,
what would you do if you didn’t hear from me every morning? Wouldn’t that scare
(or concern) you? I am telling myself that it would. All I really can be sure
of in life is the promises that God has given me.
I believe Psalm 37:25 (TPT)
is a promise I can depend on (no matter how challenging life gets): I was once young,
but now I’m old. Not once have I found a lover of God forsaken by Him, nor have
any of their children gone hungry. God is the only one who knows all the details of our life,
and can get us through (one way or the other) to safety. God is patiently
waiting for you to give up total control of your life to Him. When will you be
wise enough to do that (in all that your life throws your way)?[i]
[i] The topic for this intriguing blog post was suggested
by friend and blog member, Christa Andreotti.
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