Mind of a Christian

Should Do vs Actually Do Part III - A Clarification

I was a little bitter when I wrote the first chapter of "Should Do vs Actually Do". I see a lot of homeless people at the train station during the week when I commute to school, and I see only a small percentage of people help them out. Winter weather is always rough if you're planning on staying outside for a long time, but it's even worse in Hoboken. It gets windy here, and that makes the weather even more miserable.

I shouldn't have felt that everyone is obligated to focus everything on helping the homeless.

I realized that not every Christian is called to take an active part in doing that. Yes, feeding them or finding a hotel for them just for a few days is great and commendable, but that's not the only thing God wants from others. A conversation I had with my former youth leader and 1 Corinthians chapter 12 comes to mind.

"Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Ruach/Spirit. And there are varieties of service/ministries, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of working, but the same God who works all things in all people. But to each person is given the manifestation of the Ruach/Spirit for the benefit of all." (1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 TLV/NASB)

--------

"For the body is not one part, but many. If the foot says , 'Since I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body,' is it therefore not part of the body? And if the ear says, 'Since I'm not an eye, I'm not part of the body,' is it for this reason any less part of the body?

... But now God has placed the parts - each one of them - in the body just as He desired."

(1 Corinthians 12: 14-16, 18 TLV)

--------

My youth leader said that he isn't so good at giving to the homeless, but he is good at helping people understand the scriptures through bible studies. He's studied the Bible through the original Hebrew context and conveys his understandings through lessons. That's how he does his part in serving God's kingdom.

That's when it hit me that I shouldn't be expecting everyone to pitch in for the homeless. There are other equally important ways that Christians can serve God. We'll do things differently, and our work might not overlap or interfere with the other works that others to in the name of Jesus. But that's okay, because that doesn't dismiss the importance of what each of us should do.

If there's anyone reading this who's unsure what to do, see what abilities God has granted you and see how you can use it to glorify Him.

God bless you all, and have a great and safe holiday season.