Kids often say what we adults are already thinking… but with words we wouldn’t dare let come out of our mouths.
“Why are they homeless? Don’t they have jobs? Daddy has a job…”
My husband had just walked in the door from delivering food to the homeless shelter across town. His family plus a generous spread of food was waiting at the table upon his return, as well as a host of questions that none of us really knew the answer to.
“Life is just hard sometimes, guys. We don’t really know what they’ve been through.”
His voice was quiet and reflective, and I noticed that he wasn’t touching his food. The visit had obviously impacted him in ways that he wasn’t yet able to verbalize. So instead of pretending to have answers that were nowhere within reach, he began talking about the people.
People just like you and me, really.
People with hunger. People with dreams. People who have experienced firsthand the harsh reality that life doesn’t always turn out how we planned. People who are ready for change but just don’t know how to get there. People who wish they could be free from the daily struggles that plague them but don’t really know where to start. People who need a whole lot less of themselves, and a whole lot more of Jesus.
Just that morning, I’m pretty sure I was hung up on my dated kitchen decor, my sketchy internet, and the fact that I need to lose ten pounds. Oh, how easily we become discontent and make our narrowed worlds all about us.
His tender words were directed towards our children, but God meant those words for me.
There is a world that is dying.
Across the globe, across town, and right on my very street. And we’re sitting at our tables in abundance, trying to decide if they’re worthy.
___________________
We weren’t worthy.
God knew the depth of our sin, but he gave his Son willingly. For the sin that had already flooded the earth, and for the sin that was yet to come. He didn’t insist that we clean ourselves up or check into rehab or work until we could earn our way.
No condemnation.
No discrimination.
No expectation of having it all together on our own.
He simply entered the darkness and gave, so that we might live.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8
___________________
I don’t know who it is for you.
Maybe it’s a nation of hurting people half a world away, or maybe it’s the complete stranger you’ll run into later this week.
But this I know for sure: someone in your path – and in mine – needs light to shine in their darkness.
Will we look at them with compassion in our eyes, or will we look away as we try to decide whether or not they’re worthy?
There is a world that is dying, and the medicine they need is Jesus.
Oh yes, it will take effort.
Probably, it will be messy.
Certainly, it will be costly.
Over and over, it will mean dying to self and all of the comforts we hold onto so tightly.
But by the grace of God because of our genuine love for God, we can intentionally {live in community} with our world.
Not because you or I or the world in any way is worthy…
But because Jesus is worthy.
Oh children of God, may we not look away…
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.
‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.‘”
~ Matthew 25:35-36
Let’s enter the world and give, so that through Jesus they might live.
At His feet,
*LET’S TALK: What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to shining your light in a dark world? Where is God calling YOU to shine?
The title of this post instantly grabbed me. There are several someones I’ve been debating on whether they are worthy before I choose to give. I’m ashamed to admit that. The idea that God found me worthy is very convicting. My thoughts are changing. If I feel led to give, I should just do it and leave the judgements to God. My biggest obstacle to shining my light is FEAR. I fear rejection, persecution, loneliness. I need to remember Jesus faced all of this and continued on His journey to win others to the Kingdom of God.
Trina, I’m where you are…ashamed of my excuses and pride. Glad that God is patient and teaching each of us.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
Oh Trina!!! Thank you for your honesty! I too am ashamed that I judge my own brother, and his lifestyle. Instead of giving to him FREELY and not judging him but PRAYING for him and seeing him through Jesus’s eyes! He IS worthy, and He is LOVED by our heavenly Father. How could I ever think any differently?
Thank you sweet Whitney for your courageous and life giving words today! Thank you that your words cause us to shine a light in those uncomfortable places and be free from ourselves!
May God encourage bless all today who are accepting this challenge!
~Netty
Thank you, thank you for writing this. I so needed to hear these words and especially today. I’m saving this so I can read it every day. I’m sharing it to those that need to read it and I’m crying because it’s so beautifully written and could not have come at a better time in my life.
Lisa, So glad that you were blessed and are sharing the message with others. Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
Me too, Lisa!!! Printing it now 🙂
Yes, fear is a big obstacle for me as well, but an even BIGGER obstacle, is myself! I’m always so consumed about what I have to do, where I have to go, and what’s going on in my own head, that I find myself ignoring the people around me! How can I ever see if there is a need if I don’t ever pay attention? I pray that God would give me more of Him and less of me so that I can see all of the opportunities that He gives me, to be a light in a dark world. That I would make people more important than myself.
Mistie,
Thank you for sharing with us in our little community here on the blog. I tell myself often, ‘I need to get out of my own way and let God do His work in me’. I use to be driven my list of things to do – until one day someone I love very much asked me to be more in the moment with them instead of thinking of the next item on my list. *OUCH* – That hit home with me. Praying that you to see all the opportunities that He gives you!
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Encourager
I give until after I don’t have enough for me and my kids, right now I am learning to give less, so I can be there for my kids financially, emotionally, timewise, and physically (I have several chronic health conditions). God keeps telling me to rest and be still. Though I still give some.
Willa,
I think finding that balance is so important. I too have chronic health conditions and how I give has changed over the years. I use to be out in the community more, now I am more of the behind the scenes person but like you I’ve had those months where God said to rest and be still. I love how God works, those times of stillness taught me so much about trusting God in all things. Thank you for being here with us!
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Encourager