The cup

So as I re-read the pages of this page, I notice that something is not here that I previously thought had been - "the cup". Now some who know me may know what I mean, but others, well, guess will have to explain a bit.

Some time ago, I used to make a point of going to a local park in the early morning when there were few, to no, people around. It was always a nice time of just "hanging" with God as I walked, talked and listened. Many a time He has shown me things in our time together there.

One day as I walked along a trail, I saw - just on the other side of the railing - a cup on the ground, just slightly over the bank. It was a disposable one from a local coffee shop . It looked very out of place there in that place. So I reached through the railing and picked it up. There was no garbage nearby, so I carried it a little ways and dropped it in when I came to one. Then God spoke to me.

The scene that played out was this:

Some walking along, never noticing the cup. Some noticing but pretending not to. Others seeing and complaining about how people should not toss things around like that - as they walk by. Still others complaining that "someone" should do something about that - as they walk by. Others walking and complaining about this or that - again, as they walk past it laying there. Lastly, the one who sees it, reaches slightly out of their way without a complaint, picks it up and puts it where it should go.

He was not talking about litter in a park.

He was talking about NEED.

James 2: 15,16 "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"

How often do we see a need and just walk on past as if we see nothing. How often do we see need and complain that someone should do something, or that people should know better, or the government should step in or the church or....

Want to know something? God allows you to see a need because He wants YOU to do something about it. Not wander around complaining like so many others do - exactly what good does that do for those in need?

But you may say "I have nothing to offer, nothing major to contribute to the needs of the poor".

First, not all the needy are those living in boxes or dumpsters or in disaster zones. The woman trying to juggle 3 small children as she tries to load groceries into her car considers herself pretty needy. The well off (financially) man whose wife of twenty years just left him for his best friend is very much "in need". Not all need is with regards to material things, although there is much of that around. Sometimes the need is merely to have someone - anyone sometimes - willing to listen and not pass judgement (like Job's friends for instance - "you know what your problem is" mentality).

Maybe the need you see is a material one. I tell you the truth, the $5 you have in your pocket may mean far more to the homeless man with the cup of small change that it will to the business you are buying your coffee from. Oh, I know what you are thinking - "he is just going to take it and spend it on 'whatever' rather than food". What is that to you, exactly? Do they question where you spend your money at? Does God ask you to pass judgment on those in need or just respond? Fairly certain you know the answer to that one.

Isaiah 58:7,8 "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wander with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."

Does not say to give shelter or clothing to those whom have common beliefs as you, does it? Or those that are living in ways you personally approve of? The lives of the needy - just as yours - belong to God alone and He alone may judge.

Matthew 5:45 "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous"

God's job, not yours (ours).

But maybe you do not have any material means of your own. Perhaps however, you know where to find such means and can put the right people together. Perhaps, you say, you can "only" pray.

ONLY pray? How odd a statement is that? For those who are saved, when you (we) pray, we are taking "whatever" directly to the foot of the very throne of the Lord of all creation, who not only listens to us, but responds. Hardly counts as an "only" thing. So regardless of your response, definitely pray.

I could easily go on and on on this topic, but I think you get the general idea.

If you see a need - regardless of what it is or whom has it - then perhaps it is because God wants you to do something about it. After all, many do not see things right in front of them far too often - you may be the ONLY one who can see that need.

May the grace of our Lord God keep you well.