Dear Friends,
Over the years, many people have asked me what God or the Bible or Christian faith requires them to do when they found themselves in an uncomfortable situation where they desired to do one thing but felt a nagging awareness that they also had a kinder or more generous option available to them. This, of course, is always the wrong question. Somehow, we humans are always trying to turn ethics into a set of flowcharts and checklists by which we can determine the minimum amount of grace we need to show to another person in order to avoid offending God. But those who are in Jesus haven't been given any such tools. Instead, we have been given the guidance of the Spirit and called to live by a different set of values altogether. As Paul says, "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people" (Galatians 6:10 NIV).
The word that always stands out to me in this sentence is "opportunity." The question to ask is not how much kindness is enough or what we are or are not obligated to do in a given situation but what opportunities to do good we are being presented with. Paul's counsel is, when the opportunity to do something kind or generous arises, do it! From this perspective, doing something good is not a hardship we must endure to please God but a blessing from God to be seized upon with joy.
Next time you find yourself feeling like you should do something good for someone else but not wanting in your heart to do it, ask God to change your whole perspective so that you see the situation as an opportunity rather than an obligation. More than that, let's keep our eyes open, seeking out opportunities to be a source of blessing, knowing that this will bring blessing into our own lives as well.
A prayer for today:
Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the opportunities for good that the Father has placed in my path. Give me joy in taking advantage of them as they come!
Love in Christ Always,
Michelle
