Daily Verse: Philippians 2:21

For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, I came across a guy at the train station asking for support…financial support to be exact. Instead of just shaking him off and continuing on, I started to talk to the guy. Something about his approach peaked my curiosity and I wanted to know his story. I think we are quick to develop a story about a person that has their hat in their hand…and this story usually provides some kind of justification that allows us to shrug off the request without digging in our pockets…drug addict, alcoholic, poor work-ethic, lazy attitude, social leach. After talking with this man for a few minutes, I discovered that my usual storylines did not apply. So I dropped a few dollars in his hand, told him I would pray for him, and boarded the train, sticking to the day’s schedule of activities. But the “patting myself on the back” did not last long as the Lord starting working in my heart and mind. He started showing me that there was more work to be done… and that I could have done more. What if I had cancelled my plans, hit the store, and filled this man’s arms with groceries? Or what if I had filled his bag with new clothing, giving him a leg up on finding employment? Would it have solved all his problems? No. Would it have turned his life around? Probably not. But would it have made just one single day better for this man? Did I miss an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ reaching out to this man with an unfiltered, unbiased, and non-judgmental love? Yep, sure did. There is an incredible joy felt when we allow the Holy Spirit to work fully through us…taking the place of our normal worldly ways and instilling God’s ways.  Sure, the guy may be a con artist, a thief, a strung-out addict, but where in God’s Word are we called to filter those that are in need of help? What if Christ looked at us with all our transgressions and said “that’s just too much, I can’t help you”? We are to love because we have been loved (1 John 4:19)…regardless of what another might have done or may still be doing. Christ displayed this perfectly when he asked the Father to forgive those that had just nailed him the cross (Luke 23:34)…his love is perfect, his actions completely selfless, and his impact extraordinary. May we strive today to be the hands and feet of Christ…going beyond doing “just enough” and instead working to change the lives of those in need…showing them that there is a God that loves them…and he is working through us to change their lives. To God be the glory!