Where's your compassion?

You know, I don't claim to be perfect which is exactly the reason why I need a Savior.  I don't expect you to be perfect, either.  But…why is it that when I'm honest about the hurts in my life, you then choose not to meet my eyes any longer and conversation is next to nothing?(Not everyone, but many!!)  Is it because I'm not good enough for you? Probably not.  Is it because you don't know how to continue to be a friend to me in spite of my hurts? Maybe.  I'm not any different before your knowledge of my hurt than after the knowledge of it.  Why then, do you avoid me?  I don't know the answer to that, but I choose to love you anyway.  I do know this, though.  The church...the Body of Christ...is lacking in compassion towards those who are hurting…those who come from highly dysfunctional families.  I can honestly tell you that I have extensive experience in this at multiple churches throughout the past 20+ years.  My life has not been easy at all!!  And, I don’t make that statement to say that I’m special, either…because I’m not.  All too often, folks are pushed aside due to lack of compassion from fellow Christians.  "You need counseling!" "You need this program or that program!"  Those are just a few of the things that I've heard throughout the years.

I cannot change who I am within the Body of Christ.  God created me, placed me in the family that He deemed perfect for me, saved me, justified me and has placed me in the Body of Christ exactly where He wants me.  I know who I am in Christ.  Why is it that you cannot accept me for who I am...warts and all?  I accept you for who you are…warts and all.  My question is this; I wonder if that's how Jesus treated his disciples when He said for them to follow Him?  I won't speculate on that.  I'll let the Holy Spirit answer that.

You see, program or no program, I choose to go by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I find that He has the answers to my questions.  He has the healing for my hurts…sometimes conventional…sometimes not so much.  I find that much of the Body of Christ not only lacks compassion, but they tend to believe that there is only “one” way to get the healing that is needed.  My God has infinite ways to help His children.  Each church is different.  They all have different programs that I believe can be helpful to folks.  But I also believe that the choice of each individual is just that…they’re. own. choice.  We shouldn’t judge someone because they don’t choose the same thing that we choose.  We should rejoice because we actually have the freedom to choose!!

As I close, I’ll say this.  Jesus came to supply our every need…every need. Philippians 4:19  What are the needs that you have today?  Is it healing…emotional or physical, clarity in any aspect, monetary needs, relief from addictions…perhaps compassion?  I implore you to search your heart.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, because He will, if you allow Him to do so.  Let’s do what we can to be Christians who are better at loving the hurting.  We need to be there for each other, not shun each other…shunning is the world’s way of doing things.

Please know that I do realize that I am very blunt and to the point in this blog…but know that every word is spoken in Love…from the bottom of my heart.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8  We need a revolution of love within the Body of Christ.  Isn’t that why Jesus came in the first place?

Ridiculous day at church!!

A few years ago while waiting for the church service to begin, I was having a conversation with my husband.  I wasn’t able to hear a certain announcement and asked him if he heard it.  He said that he couldn’t hear it and that usually folks quiet down when the announcements come on.  All of the sudden the woman in the row in front of us, who apparently was eavesdropping, began speaking belligerently to my husband.  She accused him of being “one of those Christians that give Christians a bad reputation,” and so on and so forth.  My husband and I were speechless.  First of all we weren’t putting anyone down.  We simply didn’t hear what the announcement was.  This woman continued on until she had most everyone’s attention in the area…and they were all staring at us.  Finally she stopped.  I won’t share everything with you that she said…no need.

I was stunned.  My husband got up and left.  Immediately, I began to pray for both my husband and the woman in front of me.  After a few minutes, I found myself tapping on this woman’s shoulder to get her attention.  These words came from my mouth.  I said, “Ma’am, my husband and I were having a conversation between the two of us.  Nothing that my husband said had anything to do with you.”  I said, “My husband is a young Christian and I’ve been waiting for him to attend church with me for nearly 20 years.  Do you know why he wouldn’t attend with me for such a long time?”  She shook her head.  I kindly said, “Because of people like you.”  I sat back in my chair and waited for the service to begin…and for my husband to return and continued to pray for both of them.

Finally he returned and the worship service had begun.  I said, “Holy Spirit, do your work.”  Well, 2 songs or so into the service the lady began to cry.  Then she turned around and just as profusely as she had verbally slapped him only moments ago, she apologized to my husband…again causing a ruckus.

We left that day totally stunned.  But this I know… my husband didn’t deserve what he got from that lady.  But, I prayed for both of them…hoping that she was only having a bad day and hoping that my husband would continue going to church with me.  I put the situation in God’s hands and watched him work this out to peace in front of my eyes.

Just keep in mind that you never know what someone may be going through and harsh words are not the answer.  A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1  Even if you’re the one on the receiving end of someone else’s bad day.  Pray for them…it will do more good than a harsh word ever will.             

Put your faith into action!

Today my husband and I had lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants.  As soon as we walked in, we knew that we wouldn’t get good service.  One of the waitresses who had been gone for quite some time was back and she, of course, waited on us.  Sounds like an opportunity to me.   

This lady does the bare minimum as far as waiting tables go…and she’s not friendly at all.  I find it somewhat challenging to be upbeat and friendly to her…oh I do my best…to no avail, though.

It’s moments like these that I wonder just what could be going on in this person’s world that could make them so unfriendly and seemingly so unhappy?  We’ve been going to this place for more than 20 years and she used to be sort of friendly.  No matter what is going on in her life, I would make a guess that it’s totally the lack of Jesus…in a particular situation, in her job…or maybe she doesn’t know Him at all.

You see, this is where we get to put our faith into action.  I’m friendly to her.  I try to have conversation with her or make her laugh.  I ask my husband to tip her well in spite of the situation.  Silently, I pray that God would break down any strongholds that might be keeping her from seeing God’s goodness.  Really, praying is probably the best thing that we can do.

Remember, it is God’s will that not one of us should perish.  He loves us all so very much and He loves us all the same…no more or no less.  Pray for those who don’t know of our Father’s love.  You never know, you may see them in Heaven one day and then realize that they’re there because you prayed for them.  How exciting is that?            

The poor you will have with you always.

Over the past couple of years the topic of helping destitute people has come up as a group issue from time to time.  As I was listening to some of the things that were being said, I actually thought these folks were being sarcastic and trying to be funny.  But as this subject was brought up more and more as time went on, I realized that what was being spoken were actually statements true to how these folks felt.  The words spoken broke my heart.

Maybe I’m a bit sensitive because the passion of my heart is to help those who cannot help themselves, such as feeding the hungry, leading the lost to salvation, etc.  You see, for years, I’ve looked at myself, my home, my possessions, etc and I see myself as having been blessed abundantly.  My family and I aren’t wealthy as wealth is defined here in the US.  We’re average folks.  But when I look at people in third world countries…I see myself as wealthy.  I want to do more to help others…this is the cry of my heart.

Jesus said that we would always have the poor with us…and I don’t doubt that to be a true statement.  Matthew 26:11(He was making a reference to His coming death and leaving the Earth, but I also believe there is more to this statement to why we will always have the poor with us.)  But, the question I ask is; why?  In the times that we are living in now, we have the capabilities to clothe, feed and help others medically, emotionally and spiritually…those who are much less fortunate that we are…whether they are located here in the US or around the world.  But so many folks seem to have no care for those who are starving and destitute.  I believe that Jesus spoke this because he knew that even though we do have the capabilities to help others, we humans are so self centered and self absorbed that helping others to the point of ending world wide poverty simply will not happen in this age.

I encourage you to look around in your own world.  Is there anyone nearby who may need your help?  It’s not just about giving money.  You can give of your time and possessions.  There are endless ways of helping others.  Get creative!  Ask God to open your eyes and ears to see and hear opportunities to help others.  Like Jesus said, the poor we will always have with us.  I encourage you to help others.  From my own experience, I can tell you that it will rock your world…in a good way.  It’s addictive!  You’ll love it and want to do more.  Go for it!!

Road Rage!!

While driving in rush hour traffic today, suddenly, without signaling or warning, a car swerved between my car and the car in front of me nearly causing a wreck.  My immediate reaction kept me from being hit by this car and I also flashed my lights to let them know that I was there in case I had been in his blind spot without him realizing it.  To my surprise, the guy gave me the famous one fingered wave.  I kindly waved back at him…and not the one fingered version either!  J  Then I went about my way, grateful that no harm to anyone had been done.

I couldn’t believe how easily this guy was angered and by nothing that I had done.  I don’t know, maybe he was having a bad day…or just maybe this was typical for him.

In the times we’re living in, we need to react kindly to folks like this and even pray for them.  Today it was easy for me to react this way, but trust me there have been other times when I didn’t react as kindly as I did today.  Sometimes I end up having to repent because of things that I’ve said that weren’t very nice…just being honest with you!  Transparency is the best policy...yeah?! 

The bottom line is, people don’t need our wrath, they need Jesus.  We’re all human and we all make mistakes.  Romans 3:23  Now, understand that I’m not saying that we should be door mats, because that’s not at all the point I’m trying to make.  But, treat others the way that you would want to be treated!  Matthew 7:12

As I encourage myself to be a friendlier neighbor in all situations, I encourage you to do the same.  I trust and believe that it will make a difference in our lives and in our world.  Imagine if all of us who profess to be Christ followers acted like it!  Yeah…what a different place this world would be!!  

 

Check out my other blog which I post once every 4+ weeks.   http://actnowministries.blogspot.com/ 

Have a heart for...

Today, my heart cries out for those who do not know the Lord.  Everyday, I see folks who don’t know Him…some assume that they are so smart that they have life figured out, but don’t realize that He is the center, some choose not to know the Creator at all, some…many…have been introduced, but have refused a relationship with Him, etc. 

Whether these folks ever get in a relationship with God or not, the fact remains that they have made the choice to reject the Creator of the Universe…God Almighty.

At times, while crossing paths with non-believers, it could be so easy to just walk away and not have anything to do with them, mainly because so many are mean and arrogant, etc.  But what I choose to remember is that they have no reason to be joyous.  They have no reason to be nice.  They have no reason to be meek or humble.  You see Jesus is the reason that we choose to have those characteristics as a follower of Christ. (And let’s hope that as a follower of Christ, we are choosing to be like Him!  We are His ambassadors here on this earth!)  If they don’t have Jesus, there is a huge hole in their life and Jesus is needed to fill it to make them whole.  Instead they fill it with whatever suits them at the moment…until they figure out that it’s not working and then they move on to something else.  That cycle will continue until, hopefully, they choose a relationship with Jesus…the same way that you and I discovered that we need Him!  Have a heart for the lost!

When dealing with folks like this, choose to take the high road.  Be kind, be considerate, be loving...be Jesus to them.  You never know, you may be the only person who will ever be Jesus to them.  Remember Heaven and Hell are real and we are all going to end up in one place or the other by our own choice.  Look at things eternally instead of momentarily.  Winning souls to our Lord, saving souls from eternal damnation is the goal.  Choose eyes, ears and a heart of compassion because that’s how Jesus chooses to care for us.  Keep praying and never give up hope of salvation for the lost.     

Who is your Source?

One day while working at the food bank, we ran out of food filled boxes and I had to make another.  As I was filling this box, I didn’t have the usual staples, but wanted it to be worthy of calling it a food box.  I like to be generous with what I put in the boxes, but at the same time, the resources are limited.  As I was filling it, I picked up a few items to put in the box and out of fear of running out of that item, I put some back.  I heard the Lord say to me; don’t you know that I can replenish what you give away?  Instantly, I said “Yes, I do. Forgive me for not thinking that way.”  So, I put in the box what I had in my hand and then grabbed more and put it in the box.

Over the next few weeks, we didn’t receive very much food.  After filling boxes one Friday, our little pantry was empty except for a few odds and ends.  That day I stood there and prayed silently.  I reminded God of what He had said to me only a week or so before and I asked him to replenish our shelves, refrigerators and freezers to overflowing.  I reminded Him (not that He needs reminding) that we were doing His work…helping those who need help.  The next Friday, our shipment of food was over flowing…and it has been for several weeks now.  Sometimes we don’t even have room to keep everything that we receive.

You see…God is our source…not man!  It’s like the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1-16.  The Lord told Elijah to go the Brook Cherith, stay there and He would send ravens to feed him.  He did as the Lord said and had food and water.  When the brook dried up the Lord sent him to the widow.  She had only enough food for one more meal and then she thought that she and her son would die of starvation.  Elijah told her that the Lord said for her to make bread for him and that she would never run out of food.  She did just what Elijah told her to do and, just as he had said, she never ran out of food for herself, her son and Elijah.

You see, God is for us.  He wants to help us.  But we must put our faith and trust in Him.  His ways are not like our ways.  He is our Source and He is creative in the ways that He provides for us.  We should never say out of our own worldly ways of believing; God would never do this or that.  We simply don’t know how God is going to do what He says he’s going to do.

I encourage you to step out in faith and trust God in areas that you would normally trust yourself or someone else. Give Him the opportunity to stretch your faith and trust in Him.