Join GSS and prepare to be interrupted! We will never be bored as God interrupts us and takes us in a different direction to where we would care to go.
In hotels there is usually a little sign that you can hang on your door that says 'Do not disturb'. I believe that many of us have one of those signs hanging around our necks and this would certainly explain why we are not getting what we want from life. You might think that you are making yourself happy by having your own plan and doing your own thing, but far too many Christians have this sign hanging around their necks in case someone wants to inconvenience them by speaking to them, asking for help or advice. They deem themselves to be too busy, or just plain don't want to help because we value reading the Word constantly more important. But what is the point in studying the Word if you are not prepared to apply it? It seems to me that many people want to study about God but don't want to put into place measures to be like Him.
We need to make time to care for others without expecting anything in return. But sadly we are more likely to talk to and help others if there is something in it for us, rather than just seizing the opportunity to give something to someone, no strings attached.
In Timothy 4:2 Paul told Timothy to be ready to be used by God whether in season or inconvenient. Our society is very addicted to convenience, especially when you compare it to other nations. We expect a car park right outside a certain shop, we rely on fast food or convenience meals, we expect to be constantly entertained, and so much more. I think we all need to learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit in the matter of inconveniencing ourselves to help others. We all need time alone but we also need time out there in the world as part of GSS.
Sometimes you might be genuinely unsure of whether to get involved in a situation or not. Trust in the Holy Spirit and He will let you know whether it is ok to get involved. Learn to recognise in your heart what God wants and doesn't want us to do. This doesn't mean that you have to give all your all away (money and time), just some of it and you need to learn the boundaries for that.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 - If we wait for a convenient time, we will never get around to sowing and if we don't sow then we can't reap, so we need to inconvenience ourselves and sow in order to reap a harvest. We need to be willing to give something up (time spent sowing) then wait, and in time God will bring the harvest. It is the giving something up which usually proves to be the stumbling block for most people, 'What about me? Is there ever going to be a harvest in my life?' Too often we hang on to our own seeds instead of giving them to others and because of that we receive nothing back.
God rarely asks us to do things at a convenient time, in fact He often chooses the most inconvenient times to see if we will step up to the mark.
We all need to realise that it is good to inconvenience and sacrifice ourselves at times. There are times when we need to look beyond certain things in order to ensure that we help those in need. Look beyond the abuser and see the abused. Look beyond the bully and see the bullied. Be the person to help turn someone's life around by showing them the love of Jesus.
Make a concerted to effort to walk around with your eyes wide open. You will be totally overwhelmed by how much need there is out there. Start to listen and look and then act as Jesus would. The good deeds that we do as part of GSS are far better being kept to ourselves - let God have the glory! Believe that it is God doing these things through you, not you solely doing them.
In the Bible, there was an injured man in the road. Two religious men saw him and walked around him leaving him to suffer, but the Good Samaritan saw him, helped him, took him to shelter in an inn. The Good Samaritan couldn't stay, he had another commitment but he saw that his innkeeper friend looked after the injured man. The message is this; if we are too busy or don't have enough time to complete a helpful deed, we should do what we can and then reach out to a Christian brother or sister to take over. The Good Samaritan could have seen this man as an inconvenience because he was busy, but he didn't. He did what he could.
All of us carry with us a boat load of excuses to not help someone: too busy, tired, hungry, need to have a bath, going shopping and so on. But wouldn't it be a good idea if we ensured that we were always prepared to help someone in need wherever we went! Carry certain things in your handbag, tracts, small change, vouchers for food chains, miniature bibles. We need to get creative and think about what we can do to help others as we have an obligation, and hopefully also a willingness, to do our part. Even something as seemingly simple as wearing a smile. Smile at people who look sad, who perhaps haven't had anyone do or say anything nice to them in weeks. Compliment people, their attitude, their clothes, anything, a compliment is a compliment and can have such an impact on people. What are small sacrifices to you are often huge gifts to others.
Do something lest you do nothing and put the love of Christ into action!
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