LOOK NOT JUST ON YOUR OWN DESIRES
It is a self-oriented world we are living in today, and a lot of people are preoccupied with looking out for themselves alone. People are so fixated on their wants and desires that it becomes increasingly difficult to sense the need of a person standing right next to them, let alone do anything about it. It is so unfortunate that sometimes the needs are of those we call friends or family. And you know what else is unfortunate? It is that often times we have the means or capacity to help but we won’t.
I find it rather baffling that we can go on communicating with someone for an extended period of time and never arrive at reaching out to the core of who they really are just so that we may perhaps discover a void that we can fill. But I think I have an idea why that is so. We are scared of responsibilities! We don’t think it is ours to bear the burden of other people. I mean, why try to put out a fire I didn’t start right? And as long as it doesn’t directly affect me, why should I care?
But as a believer, I find a rather different approach to life in Jesus Christ. One who did not participate in creating the mess and confusion in the world came to give his life to save it, paying the full penalty for the chaos he didn’t create. To what end I have often asked. What does he stand to gain? And it beats my mind every time I realize that he did it just so that I am not lost. Just so that you are not lost. Totally devoid of any personal gain to himself. He had the capacity and he gave it away for the sake of people who will never be able to return the favor. And guess what, we didn’t even ask for help. He just gave it because he knew we needed it.
So where or how does it fall to us?
A little excerpt from a parable Jesus told his disciples reads thus: “…they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, ‘truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:44–45)
Notice how I emphasized the word ‘see’ in the above passage? I did that to draw your attention to an ability we have so quickly lost in our daily interactions with other people today, especially in the context within which I am writing this. We look at people but we don’t see beyond the outward. We don’t see the need. We only look at the smile and the makeup that covers the need. And that’s also because we never set out to be a blessing to anyone. Or could it be that we are often too consumed with our lives to even try to look out for someone else? You know the answer.
A good passage to take to heart is found in Philippians 2:4, and it says “Let each of you look out not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
The idea behind this writing is not to guilt-trip anyone, but to sound a wake-up gong. However, I’m equally concerned about those of us who believe if it is not a family need, then it is not a need worthy of our attention. We can scale up the highest mountains and go down into the deepest seas for family, but anything outside that fold can perish for all we care. I understand that charity begins at home like we often say, but who said she has to perpetually stay there?
Our calling is to spread love wherever it is needed. To leave traces of goodness everywhere we go as scripture admonishes in Matthew 5:16 “in the same way, let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Don’t be an expert in telling people “it is well”, “God will make a way” when he indeed has graced you to lend a helping hand at that moment. Proverbs 3:27 puts it this way “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.”
The sure thing about God is that he inevitably increases your capacity to do more and give more as you dare to take on little responsibilities here and there. In being faithful with little, he gives you charge over more. So learn to take your eyes off yourself sometimes and find someone to lift up. Do it without expecting a return. In fact, do it to people who cannot return the favor.
You can give a smile. You can give a hug. You can give words of support or counsel. And you can just sit there and listen. Listen not just to reply, but to really be in that moment with the person. And yes, you can give money and material possessions. In fact, give more material help as God grants you the grace because, for most people, that is where it hurts the most. There’s always something to give. The question is whether or not you have the heart for it.
And here’s to those of you out there who cannot just turn away from a need. You are not losing yourself, you are gaining eternal reward that nothing can compare to. Cheers!
Stay safe and stay blessed.
Shalom?
Biyama Joseph
#TheInfluencer
