"Jesus said it's good to help people," says Gabe after a time of reading the Good Samaritan story and listening prayer afterward. Very simple. Very direct. I love child-like faith, don't you? Interpretation is unclouded and practical.
Gabe has been part of a community helpers class this semester, and he is really tracking what it means to help others. And in practical ways. The thread of that experience is being woven into his interaction at home as well as his thought processes throughout the day as we are out and about. Even in the grocery store the other day, he commented on how he saw the clerk helping another shopper find what they needed. So fun to watch the connections!
My mind is like a train yard. Lots of tracks coming through, some parallel and others criss-crossing. So it's easy for me to make the jump from Samaritan to Romans. That said, as we shared our reflections and hearts this morning, I got to thinking of Romans 6:13, "present the members of your body as instruments of righteousness". A question then emerged, and then another, like train cars being linked up I guess.
Instruments? Musical, surgical, mechanical?
Members of my body? Hands, feet, head, elbows?
Identified, how have I used them for doing good?
Who is my neighbor?
Are there ways in which God might be stirring me to use the members of my body to help others? What has He commanded already towards this end?
What stories do I have of spontaneous opportunities to help others along the way? How have I been intentional in helping others? Gabe wants to go out and look for ways to help others. What ideas do you have for serving others?
What do you think? How have you used the members of your body to help others recently? Gabe and I would love to hear your thoughts!
“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men...” 1 Peter 2:15 NKJV
HOT OFF THE PRESS...As I was writing this, an opportunity arose here at home that is worth noting. The very child aforementioned had a crisis, a much-sensationalized one at that. The milking of emotions often gets on our nerves, honestly. But I was quickly prompted--as I gazed upon the tear-laced and sobbing face--that he needed the instruments of my arms to hold and comfort him, overplayed or not. And another of my children needed the instrument of my mouth to instruct on how to loving express displeasure with the lack of following instruction.
In the end, both responded to the grace of God. Forgiveness was asked for and received. Reconciliation was attained in that moment. And my mouth affirmed the choices to open hearts and arms to each other.
God at work in the smallest and often taken-for-granted moments.
For fun...
What instrument do you think best describes our personality?
As you have considered the "members" of your body, can you see any of them as instruments? instruments does each remind you of?
Simply giving what we have to offer from this life God has given us, trusting that others will see how splendid He is as we tell our stories.
No comments:
Post a Comment