...Because God Sees and Acts!

The story of the most vulnerable is that of injustice filled with tragedy and pain, yet, mixed with fear and uncertainty! Just look around and you can’t help but realize how important the topic of injustice! Although, most of the time, the plight of homelessness, poverty, and abuse is hidden behind closed doors. These are hidden behind the doors of homes and hidden in neighborhoods that most will not pass through. 

At no fault of her own, 12-year old Andreana is just one story of many. Even as relevant as this week, when my son (who serves as a police officer) was dispatched to a home when a child needed to be sheltered due to neglect. The need of the vulnerable is not always at the forefront of our minds.

Andreana’s story is real. She had to pack a few of her treasures and clothing  unclear about how long she will be removed from the only home and family she knows. No matter the level of abuse or neglect, this is the only thing she knows. The lost-ness fear and is normal for her! No matter the abuse, 

We may read the headlines or police blotter notations in newspapers or on TV. 

But, God sees and acts! Why? What is it about our lowly estate that God should care?

We read Proverbs 31:8-9 ... it tells us of His posture of care and compassion. :: 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”

Why should we care? I believe it is a cause nearest to the heart of almighty God. It is for that very purpose .... Because God sees and acts! 

It is precisely for the very reason that God cares that we should also care to see and acts! 

The least and the lost needs our compassion because God sees and acts! 

What represents those most vulnerable? Children and the Widow. (In Biblical times and even today, these were the ones that held no rights or political power!)

Mark 9:37 — “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

God (through Christ) demonstrates His Love and care establishing universal understanding of those in need and care! 

We can see and take action in two ways:

1. Prayer — It is a way to see with God’s eyes.

Don’t pray little prayers. Pray expected-ly that only God can provide!

How many times do we pray prayers that we are able to answer? If we see a need, full that need.

Pray bigger prayers that only God can answer! 

2. Support — Acting for those servicing the needs! 

Sometimes the prayers that we pray can be answered by around Resources yet we give praise to God Almighty in for his glory!

We know that God causes us to act, and especially as we pray. He also causes others to act as we pray as well. At least on the hearts of those who market is called ones! 

We act because he acted in compassion toward us. Hope we have is because of Jesus. The joy we experience comes from him. Peace that passes all understanding is also a blessing that comes from him, among many others.

** Psalms 147:3 (NKJV ) reads:,”He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Today is but a reminder of the incredible gift of God‘s love both at work because of we prayer and in response to prayer. We can believe that God hears and answers prayers because this is near to the heart of God ... because God sees & acts!

Performance Driven Yet Spiritually Empty

The Type-A personality is one that is driven by passion and enthusiasm. It is a person that is often fraught with complexities and can be toxic to the health of an organization. A person may be performance driven yet spiritually empty. Today I want to discuss my own inadequacies and vulnerabilities as I share this entry.

I derive my energy from being with people. I enjoy hearing their stories and encouraging them to pursue even greater risk and achievements. Perhaps, I am too forceful at times and its biggest impact is generally leaving me spiritually empty.

I am he confessed performance driven person. I am inclined to push rather than be led and to drive myself and others. For good or for bad, I can easily find something to do. I don’t let a lot of grass grow under my feet. You might find me wildly enthusiastic and personally driven poured a set of goals that are often internal and stress filled.

I have learned that it’s not the choices we make that ultimately matter but it’s the patterns that develop that present the problem. Habits form overtime including the habits of busyness and performance that can create an unhealthy identity.

While I am driven I find that I am often spiritually empty. In my spiritual life I have found that God does it need my new ideas in that way, going in alone attitude isn’t what God requires. In my younger years I thought that being a good Christian meant being extremely active and busy with a list of items, like checking off the list. I felt that success was dependent on me and it came from a time when I grew up what is the belief that I had to always get things right.

I felt it the more I did the more spiritual I was. I believed that God was pleased with my busyness. My life motto, even today believes that Christine is wasteful. Blaise Pascal becomes my motto: “I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man’s being unable to sit in a room.” (1623-1662)

As I get older I am probably finding even more distraction in my little world. If my identity is based on what I do or even the outcomes of what I produce, I consider my life is insufficient. This set of beliefs often compete against a life filled with peace and Sabbath. I also come to learn that I place expectations on others and forget that I need to be gracious and respectful. Not everyone has to work the same way I do!

As I am now in recovery from a particular addiction of haste and busyness, I now realize that it was often vanity and superficial spirituality. In my recovery I have discovered that it’s OK to rest and relax.

To look more into this subject read the following article: Performance-based-Christianity.

Perhaps the challenge today is to find what brings you satisfaction and more important what defines your identity. Is your identity in Christ and his grace core upon your personal endeavors as if you have to prove yourself. Throughout my life I felt as if I needed to prove something and perhaps it was my childhood experiences that my outlook or perhaps even a personality orientation but ultimately it was in vanity.

I have learned that I do not have to go in alone and that God does not necessarily keep score of my busyness. Perhaps, like Martha, Jesus needs to remind me that it’s not about doing but it is more about being. In my life I have learned to become less concerned about proving something and more concerned about being in Christ.

In my life I have learned to become less concerned about proving something and more concerned about being in Christ.

Ask yourself a couple questions In a way to self assess. in a way to self assess.

1. Do you feel the need to always take charge and control?

2. Do you track your success based on your accomplishments?

3. Do you need to take credit for success and failure?

4. Are you obsessively worried about what people think of you?

If yes to most of these questions that I encourage you to admit and begin to be on the road of recovery along with me. It’s a life time journey but one that you can find improvements on, especially as we understand that our identity is in Christ alone and not by works. I know for me, I am likely to boast (or take pride ) but thanks be to God for His great love and patience with me.