A friend of mine likes to say that we are to have "loving noses". What she means is that as Christians we ought to be concerned about one another and the issues of our lives. We have so often been taught that we're to mind our own business and stay out of other people's stuff. At some level that's true. We don't need to poke around in other people lives to just to gratify our curiosity and need to gossip. We should, however, be aware of what is going on around us in the lives of people in need and be willing to help.
This week a friend of mine and I had the opportunity to help a lady in her 80's who is in a pretty tough situation. We found out that she had been living without a toilet for sometime so we were able to put in a new tank for her toilet and get it up and running. We also fixed a broken shower head and started repairing some problems with the kitchen sink. We have more to do that we'll be getting to in the coming days.
I'm thankful to the Lord for revealing this situation to us. Like a lot of people, our senior friend would not have asked for help, even though she desperately needed it. We're taught not to ask others for help in our culture and unfortunately, this attitude can be propagated in our churches too. Like many folks this dear lady doesn't want to bother people with her problems.
It didn't bother me to help her. I love doing that kind of thing. It bothered me that she had been living like this and I didn't know.
Don't ignore the warning signs around you. It may not be physical labor that someone needs. It may be a smile or encouraging word. If the Holy Spirit lays someone on your heart there's a reason for that.
Love is all about action. We emphasize that at our church. Love is about relationship and interaction. It's easy to love one another when all we do is shake hands before and after church but Biblically we are called to so much more. Galatians 6:2 tells us to "bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." The law of Christ is love. In John 13:34-35 Jesus said, "A new commandment I give you that you love one another. Even as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."
Jesus didn't say the world would know that we are his by our big buildings, programs, wealth or even power but by our LOVE! Biblical love is not about how we feel but about what we do.
Ministry opportunities are all around. Let's open our eyes and maybe even be a little nosy if that's what it takes. Don't miss an opportunity to help. You'll be blessed.
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