Blessed to be a blessing

“The true measure of a person’s character is how one handles one’s failures, not successes.”

― Bill Courtney, Against the Grain: A Coach's Wisdom on Character, Faith, Family, and Love

Larry and I watched "Undefeated" on Netflix yesterday. What a powerful story of young men rising above their circumstances in great part because someone, their football coach, loved them enough to give them hope and not give up on them.

Not every child starts the race at the same starting line.

This documentary along with another one - "Rich Hill" - which follows three young boys who also grew up in poverty without the security of parents who provided a safe and stable home - these two shows reminded me of just how much I have been blessed. It made me sad to watch these young men struggle with things they shouldn't have to worry about at such tender ages. But what can I do with that feeling?

I have always had parents who provided for me, and I didn't have to grow up worrying about where my next meal was coming from or if I my dad was even going to come home at night. It's too easy for me to just get up and walk away from the T.V. and forget the reality that many young boys and girls deal with every day. I did nothing to deserve the wonderful family and home I had just as those kids didn't do anything to deserve the struggles they face.

My responsibility as a Christian is help those who do not start this race of life with the same advantages that I have had. God didn't bless me because I am his favorite. He gave me blessings that I am supposed to use to lighten the load of others. It is truly better to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35New Living Translation (NLT)

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

How many times does God tell us to help those who need help? Once should be enough but there are multiple times He tells to to help the poor. It's our job as Christians. How can we seen people hurting and refuse to do what we can do to help?

Hebrews 13:16

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

One of the last things Jesus said before ascending back to heaven was about this very thing. When we help others is just as though we are helping Jesus Himself. But when we fail to help those we can help, it's just like we are turning our backs on Jesus.

It's very easy to sit in my comfortable home with plenty of everything I need and shut my eyes to the poverty around me. Dear Jesus, help me to see what You put before me and not just shake my head about the unfairness of it all, but to actually do whatever I can to make a difference.

Matthew 25:35-40 New King James Version (NKJV)

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Holy Father, help me to see what You see. Help me to have compassion that doesn't end when the movie ends but that makes me move to do what I can to help those You put on my path. Forgive me for taking my comfortable home and wonderful family for granted - as if I did anything to deserve such blessings. Help me to see those blessings as instruments to help those who do not have what I have.

Thank you for Your patience and mercy and forgiveness. Thank you for giving us the perfect example of how we are to live for others by sending Your Son, who was not born into wealth, but born in poverty.

The Creator of the Universe humbled Himself and did not even have a home to call His own, yet He gave so much to others. Thank You, Jesus, for Your great love and compassion, for even me. Purify my heart and create a clean spirit within me. Use my life as You see fit and help me to see what you have for me to do and then to do it.