God has gifted many of us with skills and talents we may not give a second thought to. We are skilled at mechanics, sewing or quilting, cooking, teaching, conversing, cleaning, or a hundred other skills. We may have a heart for the aged or very young, those who are in prison, or the poor. We have expertise unique to us, in our area of the world, in which we live! It’s when we use the proficiencies, which are “acting on our Godly passions” to aid those less fortunate, that we answer the call of God asking “Whom shall I send?”
Each of us are afforded opportunities every day to act upon our personal abilities that would in some way help another person, but very often we hold back because we are worried about “political correctness” and wondering if there will be someone who would misunderstand our motives.
Perhaps you’ve even considered buying a sandwich in a fast food place for a homeless person, or volunteer to serve food at a shelter, visit a children’s hospital, or nursing home. Following through can be daunting, considering the world we live in!
Certainly, we all have our “own worlds” that are nothing less than busy! It’s hard to find a time to commit to act on our Godly passion, when our own family already needs us. But I encourage you to consider how you might be able to encourage someone else. Send that note or visit a nursing home, or even take food to a shut-in, in your very own community. There are countless ways to use your knowledge and capabilities to “love on” another person.
There is one other way that bears comment about passion, community and commitment. The men and women serving in the military to keep our country safe and our freedoms free, is the highest form of love for both our country and her people. They put their lives on the line every day and often we neglect to offer gratitude for their personal selflessness. On this Memorial Day, I urge you to reach out and hug a military person, and as importantly, remember those who gave their lives so we each have the right to live in a place of unequaled freedom. It's a priceless gift.
Allow these times “of loving,” whether it be a simple act of kindness to a neighbor, or a life of sacrifice for our country, to be an opportunity for God to shine brightly through you, and enable you to share. People all around are starving to be accepted and loved. It may not be easy to reach out, but if you can pull on your courage, asking God to show you how, your unique passion for your community will be a very special gift for another person in need.
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