Use What You Have

Use what you have. 

Moses what do you have? A staff. Gideon what do you have? 300 men, a trumpet, and a torch in a basket.  Ruth what do you have? A kind heart and a love for my mother in law. Esther what do you have? I'm the queen. David what do you have? A handful of stones and a sling.  Mary what do you have? My life is open to whatever God wants of me. Young boy what do you have? 5 loaves and 2 fish. You, __________, (place your name in the blank), what do you have? Will you give it to God and allow Him to use it for His glory?

DO YOU SEE THEM?

     How’s your vision? Do you see the world around you? In your homes? At work? At the restaurant? At school? At church?

     We “see” people all around us every day. But do we really see them?

     What is going on in the lives of those around us? We talk to them. We may even shake their hand or hug their neck. We exchange pleasantries, but do we ever get to know their hurts or pains? Their joys or victories?

     Too many times in our culture we have the attitude of ‘who cares’. I’ve got my life, my family, my own little world. That keeps me busy enough. But we are God’s hands and feet, His eyes here on earth. We need to take off our blinders and ask God to help us see the world, our world, as He does.

     And how does God see His world? When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

     Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (NASB)

     When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (CSB)

     When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (HCSB)

     When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (NLT)

     HARASSED, HELPLESS, DISTRESSED, DISPIRITED, DEJECTED, WEARY, WORN OUT, and CONFUSED. That sums up our world very well. And when Jesus saw those in this state, He had compassion on them.

     Pray that God will open our eyes and that He will give us compassion for those around us. Jesus followed up that compassion with action. We should do no less. Remember compassion or love is a VERB.