Embracing The Inconvenience

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Proverbs 3:27 NKJV

I had a dream that a homeless woman knocked on my door to get out of the cold.  I let her in but did not go out of my way to “entertain” her.  While she was somewhat rude to me, I had no apprehension or concern for my safety, so I continued to prepare my home for the guests I was expecting during the holiday.  I showed her the facilities and directed her to the fireplace so she could warm up.

As I continued my tasks around my home, I did not think to check on her.  I was so busy with my agenda and to-do list.  Things needed to be in place for my family when they arrived.  When I finally returned to check on her, I noticed her bag was full.  I looked around the room and none of the valuables were missing.  I could not figure out what she had taken.  Then, I noticed the gallon of milk in her mesh bag.  I was shocked and upset that she had gone into my refrigerator and cabinets and taken food.  This was food that was meant for my upcoming celebration with my family.

Who was she to help herself with my belongings?  Instead of acknowledging her need and helping her to find more, I questioned and chastised her for taking things that did not belong to her.  Why would I see anyone in obvious need and do nothing to help, especially when I had it readily available?  If I am truly living in the Word of God, I know that Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so”.  It did not matter if she was rude to me.  God’s Word also tells me to love the unlovable.  She had a need, and I was assigned to meet that need.  However, I chose to ignore it and thought selfishly of myself. 

Suddenly, I realized it was not about the great sacrifice of goods.  It was more about the inconvenience it would cause me.  Giving items to her would mean that I would have to return to the store to replace the items and spend more money.  How many times have I failed to meet the needs of someone just because it was inconvenient?  Why was I so busy or so focused on my agenda that I could not take the time to offer a helping hand to someone in need?

I believe that God was reminding me, especially in this season, to remember my brother and sister.  It does not matter if they are family by blood.  They may be strangers, and they may not be of the household of faith, but they are His creation, and He wants me to show His love to everyone.  This is part of my witnessing to others about the goodness of God.

During this holiday season, we get so busy doing stuff, buying stuff, and celebrating stuff, that we forget the real Reason for the season.  We forget that the season is for ALL to celebrate because The Reason was sent as a gift to ALL.  Jesus Christ is the Reason for the season.  As His disciples, we must make sure that everyone understands this very simple truth.  We do this by giving of ourselves and the resources He has provided for us.  Everything He has provided was meant to take care of us and to bless others.  Even when we give in our times of “less”, He is faithful to supply our needs so that the sacrifice does not become our burden.  Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

When we understand that we are only stewards of our blessings, we begin to understand how our blessings are to be consumed and administered.  We become willing to share with others because we know that we will not go lacking in any way, not even our time will be lost when we make the sacrifice to minister to a soul in need.  

Now is the time to spread the good news to everyone.  There is so much despair and suffering in the world.  This world needs to know that there is Hope, that God sees them, and He cares, and we are His disciples who care too.

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Father, thank you for this revelation.  Thank you for speaking to me and transforming my thinking about the blessings You have showered upon me.  Father, I ask that you transform the minds of those who may read this post.  Help us to devote ourselves to making sacrifices on behalf of those who need not only material blessings but also emotional and spiritual blessings.  Help us to embrace the inconvenience and make the sacrifice of resources and time to encourage those who have lost hope.  Lord, Your word says that “it is You that works in us both to Will and to Do for Your good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NKJV).  We are Your disciples, Father.  Lead us and Guide us. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.