I Want Out of My Rut

Are you in a rut? I have been and just realized it. I think the stagnant stage began when I returned to graduate school while I worked full time and maintained a family. It has continued now with too many hours spent at work and other obligations. My career and obligations aren’t bad; they are good things in my life. Blessings that I am thankful for. But recently God has been poking at my heart. Urging me to Wake Up! To take notice of the things around me and use the gifts and the knowledge that he has given me to encourage and uplift others. I have had a constant nagging that my life is incomplete.

I was going through old photos the other day and ran across a photo from a vacation in Washington DC. In the photo was a man that was homeless. I took the picture not realizing he was in it until later. Interesting enough, prior to taking the picture, we had just come from a restaurant and had way too much food left over. The waiter had packed it up nice (not sure why we took it at the time, we were in a hotel with no way to keep it cold or heat it up). As we walked around the fountain, we saw the homeless man and stopped to talk. He was a veteran. He had served our country for many years fighting for the very freedom that we were enjoying that day. We ask if him if he would want the food and he gratefully took it and ate. We sat with him awhile that day just letting him talk. I don’t’ remember what the food was, but the conversation I will never forget. Maybe we touched him that day and maybe we didn’t, but he certainly touched me.

I wonder how many people that we overlook because we are busy or absorbed in our own problems. I know that I have been stagnant in my life when it comes to reaching out and being the hands and feet of Christ. I want to see others through the eyes and the heart of God. Not only do I want to see them as He does, but I want to reach out and show them the grace and mercy of God. The same grace and mercy that he has shown me over and over.

God’s word instructs us to help others. We are not to turn a blind eye to those in need or to be so self focused that we can’t see what is around us. Only by God’s grace is not me or you in that place of need. Isaiah 58:10- Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. Matt 25: 35- 40 “When I was hungry you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me. Then they ask Jesus, When did we do these thing? And Jesus replied, when you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”

Guys, we live in a world filled with darkness, hate, anger and indifference. People are hurting and desperate for someone to show them kindness and love. We may be the only light that some people see.

I want to be a part of the light that destroys the darkness.

 

My prayer: Lord, help me to see others through your eyes and heart. Open my eyes to the needs around me and give me the compassion to be your hands and your feet.