Eyes wide open

I just had the pleasure of watching The Soloist for a school assignment. My heart and mind are full of thoughts and emotions. I will have to let it all percolate in there before I write my paper. However, I feel like jotting a few things in my blog lest I forget.

The hopelessness, the chaos, the depravity on the streets portrayed in the film. It is overwhelmingly sad. I know for sure that Christ will redeem and restore the Earth. But meanwhile..so sad. And yet such opportunity! Because once in awhile, there is something beautiful. Something that helps us remember that there IS hope. God's mercy is shown through volunteers feeding the poor and hungry. A new friend is made. Despite the look on the surface, God's love, the Holy Spirit, is a living current, flowing swiftly through us all as we become His hands and feet.

We don't see because we don't want to see.

I go home to my house, complete my tasks at hand, and start over the next day. I don't have to look far to find those who are in need. But the issues in the film I just watched are rarely on my mind. Shame on me. Lord Jesus let our eyes be wide open and our hearts be full of You, so that we may take opportunities as they come to minister to all. The homeless, the mentally ill, especially children. My heart breaks for children being raised on the streets, that is all they know. Who will show them compassion? Who will show them how to love their neighbor? Church, we are called to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. It goes beyond the offering plate. I say this to myself as much as anyone else.

We have to accept that isolating ourselves from the harsher realities of this world while we wait for Christ's return is simply much less then what we are made for. Don't settle.
That being said, I love the quote "the need is not the call." Pay heed to the Spirit, and I believe with all my heart He will lead you into situations in which you have been gifted to handle.

Lets encourage one another to stop all the excuses and be strong in the Lord, not resting while awaiting Him, but actively pursuing His will. This is His creation after all, and while it may be much less than what it was intended to be, we are charged with it's care. Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord.