Lately I’ve been faced with the fact that many are losing hope in this crashing economy of ours. While many are losing hope, the God of all hope has not lost us! Because of this truth, I’ve been thinking about how to reach out and offer hope to the hurting. I’ve found in my walk with God that when I ask, He answers.
This excerpt from Keri Kent spoke to my heart. I hope it speaks to yours….
One of the barriers to becoming someone who makes a difference is simply this: we don’t want to. In many ways, we would like to stay blind and small, like baby mice. We don’t realize how fulfilling, how thrilling, being a difference maker can be. Jesus invites us to be people who see, and then act. When we do so, our very desires our changed.
The Christian faith, a faith that makes a difference, calls us to see with new vision. Jesus says when we pry the plank of hypocrisy and judgment out of our eye, we will “see clearly” to help others (see Matthew 7:1-5). What does it mean to “see” someone? To not just be vaguely aware of them, as some sort of distraction, but to see them?
Jesus recently has been challenging me to see even more clearly. In 1 John 3:17, the Bible says, “If any one of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you?” This is not a statement of condemnation, it’s just a question. In fact, a few verses later John says we need not let our hearts condemn us. It is a question with a challenge. Do we see the under-resourced of the world? In our neighborhood? Or do we work very hard to stay blind to their plight? I think one of the scariest prayers you can pray is, “Help me to see more clearly.” God only knows what he might show you.
-Keri Wyatt Kent
Imagine what would happen if we truly saw the needs of others, and then, reached out and provided what we could from our own supply?
Oh Dear says
I am on a team preparing for a mission trip. The leader of the team told us that we would see things we do not like. My comment is that I see stuff here I don't like! My prayer for my children is that they see others the way that God sees them-with love.
I think I might need to do some praying about seeing what He wants me to see. I get so down on the state of our world but regardless of the choice we make, we are still His and He is CRAZY about us! I need to be CRAZY about the people He created as well!
Lynn Cowell says
Conviction girl. Conviction.
B His Girl says
I pray to really see people as the Lord sees them. Sometimes I'm sure I get a glance of His heart. Enjoyed this post. I desire to B a difference maker.
Julie says
Thank you so much for sharing this. We all need this reminder every day.
Julie =)