Be open hearted toward need
1 John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
I can remember the first time I went on mission to the Philippines – this verse impacted me in such a profound way and indeed I am always reminded of it each and every time that I go on mission. While travelling throughout the more rural areas of the Philippines you constantly come across need. People needing things and needing help, you then have a choice: do you shut your heart so that you do not feel their need – and you do not have to take responsibility for it – or do you keep your heart open and allow the pain and suffering of others to affect you, to affect you in a way that you end up doing something, even if it seems incredibly small, to help them?
I believe God wants His people to have healthy, open hearts concerning the needs of others. Notice how many times Jesus Himself was "moved by compassion" througout the gospels. In this verse it specifically speaks of the needs of our brothers. I believe that is referring to those who are people of God and a part of the same global family as us. What an awesome thought – when you said yes to Jesus you became a part of a worldwide family. Even if we don't see it like that God does, and I believe He wants us to care for each member of that family as we would for each member of our natural one. Wow, what a challenge this is, especially when there is seemingly no end to the people in need of help!
It's again an issue of love – the verse says that 'he who shuts his heart to the needs of his brother is void of God's love in his life'. That's a very hard statement but a good one, good enough to awaken us all to be more open-hearted. Obviously you can't do everything; I always leave the mission field wishing I could have done more, but I always do what I can. And hey, if we all do that we will together get a lot done.
Finally, it's not just about the mission field far away, is it. Around us all daily there is no shortage of people in very real need. Let us make sure our hearts are open to them. If you can do something to bless others in need, do it – as you do you manifest the love of God that is in you.
Andy
==============================================
Unsubscribe andy791.gbl01@blogger.com from this list:
http://greatbiglife.us1.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=25c0f3189b58b697b3da13e3c&id=943136c5b5&e=959d22e910&c=4136767c45
