Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17
You are not awake by accident. God preordained this day just for you. Start every day with this affirmation of faith: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). People don't enjoy each day because they are worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. The truth is yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Friend, we only have today so let us make the best of it. Expect the unexpected. Expect something great to happen today. Expect favor of man and expect favor of God. Confess to yourself that "Disappointments of yesterday and worries of tomorrow have no place in my today". In fact, don't wait for something good to happen. Make something good happen instead. Call a sick friend and pray together. Take a child to the park. Invite a friend to lunch. Walk up to your aged neighbor's door and offer to do the laundry, read a book or mow the lawn. Take the lonely couple down the block for a walk or offer to take their pet for a walk. You will be amazed at the results.
Trust me when I tell you that doing something for others brings much joy, and there is nothing more unfortunate than a missed opportunity. It is possible that I have told this story before on Bible Tour. I was at the grocery store a while back and there was a lady who was waiting to pay. As I was approaching the cash register the Spirit of God came upon me and and I had a strong sense that God wanted me to pay for the lady's purchase. I was running late for work and only I stopped by to get my daily yogurt and I was in no mood to spend more than I planned. I justified it to myself by saying "God knows I don't have much myself." Besides, I did not wish to cause an embarrassment for the lady by interfering. So, I looked away as the cashier and the lady continued their animated discussion. I overheard the lady saying that she really needed the food for lunch and the cashier repeatedly said she could not pay for "hot food" with her EBT card. The card is for groceries and not for food from the deli section of the store. I kept on looking away and distracted myself with my surroundings. When I finally decided to intervene and make eye contact, the lady was gone. I immediately felt intense sadness and remorse. I ran outside and looked up and down but the lady was nowhere to be found. How sad!
The total was $2.05 and God was not able to count on me for little over two dollars. I spent the entire day trying to make up for the missed opportunity. I purchased treats for my students and my co-workers but I felt horribly all day long. I had to repent and ask God for forgiveness and I promise myself to keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve. We should wake up ready and willing to be used by God in any way He chooses. Friend, God should be able to count on us to carry out His Will. We should be excited about life, about giving and serving. We are never more like Christ than when we serve each other and sadly, we are never more like the devil when we look the other way and refuse to help.
Friend, right now is your opportunity. Make the best of every moment. Be on the lookout for opportunities to serve. Feed someone. Help someone cross the street. Call someone. Pray with someone. Pray for someone. Visit someone. Study with someone. Love someone. Be like Christ. Make today the best day for someone else and you will be blessed. God will reward you. Your challenges will be less consuming when you focus on someone else. Choose to see beauty where you are right now. Try to see others like God sees you. Try to love the way you want to be loved. Be that person who does not miss an opportunity to serve. Be that person who leads someone to Christ by your testimony. Be the one whose life inspire others. Be the one that God can count on no matter the cost. Be totally available to God and be blessed!
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
Praise the Lord!
