Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
It seems like we were just talking about Thursday and here we are again. Recently I have discovered that the less judgemental I am about others, the more time I spend asking for forgiveness and the less time I spend forgiving others. That just proves that forgiveness is really for us, not the person we are forgiving.
Last week I was listening to a group of people in our community talk about “how this person should do this, and this person should do that” to make the community better. Have you ever participated in a similar discussion? Of course, the answer is if everyone did their part, there probably wouldn’t be an issue. These poor people being discussed were most likely stretched too thin. Later, when I reflected on the conversation, I began to think about how this is a problem in many churches (in general terms). I must admit I have been guilty of this. Sometimes it seems like “everyone” has the answers, but “no one” really wants to be burdened with the work. It could be that only certain tasks are wanted, leaving many others undone. This must make life very difficult for the pastor, who truly cares for the sheep. Then, there are others who constantly call with prayer requests, always looking for a miracle, but never showing up.
I like Natalie Grant’s answer to this problem “it’s time to get our hands dirty . . . why sit around waiting for a miracle to come, when you could be one.” On the way to work this morning I heard this song. It is so true. If there are hungry people in your church or community, help feed them. If your neighbor is sick, ask if it’s okay to help with yard work. Visit friends, church members and family who are sick or in the hospital. Offer to help people who have lost a family member. If you have a neighbor who has financial problems, bring them dinner or pay a bill for them without telling them. Does anyone really need to know? God knows. Isn’t that REALLY enough? If you don’t work outside the home and notice children wandering around the neighborhood being a target for trouble, reach out to them. Don’t wait for your pastor or your government to take care of everything. There are so many little things everyone can do that will make a huge difference for someone else. Sometimes we all just need to know someone cares. You will find that you will feel more blessed than the person you are helping.
Today, I challenge you to make a difference in the world by getting your hands a little dirty being someone’s miracle. God bless you.
