In the past two months I have been reading different books but they all have one common theme. Love God, and love people. In the book, “Undaunted” Christine Cain said, “we should listen to what God keeps bringing to your attention, what he interrupts your thoughts and your days with. In those things, you will recognize his heading.”
Well, on Nov. 16th I was at the beach reading “Compelled by love” by Heidi Baker, and then took a break to journal and process on some of the things I read; then I noticed someone was standing next to my chair, as I looked up I noticed a beggar. He’s missing an arm and with his other hand he held out to me his hat to give him some money. I debated whether to give him money that I don’t have, and while he was still standing there I was thinking why is he not working? What is it he’s going to do with that money? I shook my head I don’t have any money and put my head down in hopes that he would leave. I felt bad not giving him any money, and told God what do you want me to do? I don’t have anything. Then probably ten minutes later a different beggar was passing by, it’s a man and a woman with two kids and an infant. Again I thought both parents look healthy why not find a job to take care your family. So, I prayed Lord I’m sorry for not being more of a giving person and maybe if another beggar passes by I’ll give the little that I have.
True story, I didn’t even finish praying when one teenage guy came rolling on this bike wheelchair asking a guy sitting a few feet from me for money. I was like okay God; I hear you loud and clear. And I got up and handed him the money I had. Jesus always showed compassion to people especially to the poor; why is it so hard for me to do the same. Anyways, we were planning to head back to the house by four o’clock; but before I left the beach I had nine beggars passing by asking for money. All the beggars that I saw were either missing an arm, a leg or both legs, and blind adults with children. In that moment, I realized that God kept bringing the poor to my attention and I’ve been so focused on me I haven’t noticed his interruptions. For so long I’ve been living in my safe comfortable bubble world not really caring too much on what is happening in the world.
In the book “The Hole in our Gospel”, Richard Stearns asks,” what does God expect of us?” And” what is the Christian faith about?” He said, is being a Christian simply going to church every Sunday, studying the Bible and avoiding the most serious sins- or does God expect more? He answered, “God asks us for everything. He requires a total life commitment from those who would be His followers. In fact, Christ calls us to be His partners in changing our world.” I got to thinking that if God calls me to be His partner in changing the world then why have I been so selfish. How could I have been so blind and into myself running instead after my safety, my happiness, and the American dreams, in the meantime ignoring the dying world?
Still the Lord patiently took me from my darkness and into the light when I signed up for the world race, showing me from country to country the brokenness, the hopelessness, and the poverty in the nations. It’s clear to me now that the world doesn’t need my money; they are not looking for a hand out. However, they are in dire need of the truth, of finding their identity in Christ, and they need to know the love of Christ. The world is in need of change. Yes, I know I will never solve the economic problems by myself, I will never solve world hunger by myself, and I will never cure AIDS by myself. But I am the carrier of love, I am the exact representation of Jesus and He dwells in me. And so are YOU! We have the power to change the world through Jesus, if we put our heads together and do something.
I love this quote from Bob Pierce “Don’t fail to do something just because you can’t do everything.” So, no more excuses. Do not stay silent. Wake up, O generation. Help me in your own way to bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of prisons to those who are bound. Allow yourself to be interrupted by lost and broken people so that we can bring healing and restoration to the world. I’ll ask you the same question Richard was asked of him “Are you willing to be open to God’s will for your life?”
