In review of Isaiah 58:10-11 it reminds me to " Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then my light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around me will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide me continually, giving me water when I’m dry and restoring my strength. I will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." (NLT)
Looking out for the needs of others will always require a cost, and some sacrifice on my part (my time, money, energy, reputation, or privacy.) Jesus sacrificed for me, and I become more like him when I sacrifice for others.
In Luke, Jesus told a parable about the Good Samaritan, who found a man beaten and abandoned by the side of the road. The Samaritan “took [the man] to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here’” (Luke 10:34-35 NLT).
The Samaritan did this for a total stranger. He started by administering first aid at the scene of the crime. Then he put the man on his donkey, which means the Good Samaritan walked. He checked the man into a motel, cared for him through the night, paid the bill in the morning, and pledged to cover any additional costs.
What did he gain from it? Nothing. He didn’t even know the guy! The Good Samaritan stepped in to help without any concern for the sacrifice it might require. His focus was on the injured man’s needs, just as Jesus is focused on mine.
This is the way God planned it: I assume responsibility for the needs of hurting people around me, while trusting God to meet my needs.
If kindness on my part didn’t cost me anything, I would not be giving up my wants and desires for the sake of others. Kindness on my part worhip’s God by putting what He feels is important.
In summary, God wants me to give of myself to help those in need. When I do, I reflect well his characteristics. As I do this, the Lord promises to guide me continually giving me what I need (not what I want) and restores my strength. This will help my life be balanced, full of vigor and fresh. I must remember however that looking out for the needs of others will always require a cost and sacrifice on my part. This is what Jesus did for me. I become more like him when I sacrifice for others. Jesus gives us an example of this in the parable of the Good Samaritan. This is the way God planned it. I assume responsibility for the needs of hurting people around me, while trusting God to meet my needs.
In my work, my role is to help support others. I’m caught up however in now having a large load of backlogged work. I find my attitude gets affected by the load and as a result I don’t respond correctly or with having a feeling of being refreshed. Perhaps this is because I’m trying to do it all on my own and not resting in God’s promise to take care of my needs and to help me accomplish what needs to be done. Today Father, I pray that you help me rest in knowing that you will take care of me as I sacrifice and inconvenience myself to help others. I also ask you today for wisdom and guidance in how I approach my work and what’s being asked of me. Help me to lead my team effectively and to respond correctly to those around me. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment