One hundred four days…
I’m feeling sick at heart as I write today. I just read a testimony, with a picture attached, that a missionary posted regarding a woman they found lying on the street in the slums of Africa. They took her for medical attention, but there was nothing the physicians could do to heal the state of her physical condition. She is dying. According to the missionary, her spiritual condition is not much better. I don’t mean to sound dismal today, but when I read the accounts of what happens in this world, it serves as a reality check for me.
Who cares if I’m going to be 40? I have a home where I am safe and warm, a family I love, and more than enough of everything I need. I try to invest into other lives, but am I really doing enough? Is it possible for any of us to do enough? I realize not all of us are called to Africa. God has not called me to be a missionary to third world countries. However, there is a still a lot to be done in this country. Is my contribution adequate in the site of God?
Last week at our small group, someone brought up the end of the movie Schindler’s List. They spoke of how heartfelt it was for the character to express they could have done more; they could have saved more. Oh, to have a heart focused on others!
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) N.K.J.
Jesus has so much compassion for us. How much compassion do I have? Not nearly enough. It makes me sad to think how much more I could do and don’t. This isn’t a lecture for you. It’s a lecture for me. I’m venting. Sometimes God is nudging me. I won’t ever share anything with you that is not something I’ve worked on or am working on in my own life.
My goal for today is to be a blessing to someone. I might not be able to travel to Africa, but I can show the love of God to someone who needs it. I can demonstrate compassion. I can do more…
Jennifer, so much goes on,and I feel helpless. It makes me feel useless; then Jesus’ still voice reminds me of His love.
So heart-felt Jen! We all can do more, but we must make sure it is what God told US to do:) If we all just listened to His still small voice and did what He was telling us, just think how different the world would be:) Dick and I did not move Irla, the ladies name, until hours after he saw her. He took the photo and then came and met me outside of the slum and showed it to me. He felt convicted to go back to get her help and so did I, but what could two old white folk do…foreigners in Africa? We thought that maybe God was’t telling us to “go,” but we ignored that voice and obeyed that small voice telling us to “just do it.” As soon as we made up our mind to obey an African brother stepped in to help us and the rest is how you related it. We left money with him and today we received photos from him of Irla laying on her new mat, wearing her new clothes he bought her, and waiting patiently for someone to feed her with the food he brought. I tell you this to encourage you to patiently listen to what the Holy Spirit tells you to do and then, and only the, can you do more. Keep up the wonderful writing that you are doing too:)
Thanks, Mrs. Samuels. You are right! We have to make sure we are obeying God in each circumstance. This blog and book is all about obedience for me. I also think it’s important to take a step back and examine what we do. It’s too easy to become complacent and comfortable. I want to make sure I’m always in the position to hear what God is saying to me. Thanks for your input. Your story really touched my heart!