Now, I understand. You’ve just gotten back from a week in a different place where your “job” is to serve God by serving others, talk about the goodness of the Lord, laugh with friends, and have all distractions removed and being completely focused on the Father. Then you hear someone complain about their iPod not working properly, or their $4 cup of coffee being not quite right, or the fact that they didn’t want green peppers on their cheesesteak and they are livid. And you can’t help but to make a disgusted face and curse all Americans under your breath (or out loud, oops).
It’s a harsh drop from this spiritual high back into the reality of materialism and realizing how much we take for granted. We are a people of “stuff,” a culture defined by what we do or do not have. It’s our first reaction to be disgusted with our fellow Americans and resent everything that is around us.
However, my heart was convicted as I interacted with friends and realized that this is contrary to our spreading the Gospel where we currently live. It is not a mistake that we live in this country, this state, this town. This is where God has us and we are called to “love our neighbors as ourselves” (Mark 12:31), where “neighbors” is literally translated to “the next one.” Our efforts to share the Gospel with our neighbors would be in vain if we carried a spirit of disgust toward them.
As the popular song goes, “Everyone needs forgiveness/ the kindness of a Savior/ the hope of nations.” That means everyone: from the poorest of the poor to the richest of the rich, the most humble of servants to the most snobbish of high-class. God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
Praise our God who is so good and accepting and welcoming. May our hearts align with His.
– Karin Caruso
Wow Karin!! great thoughts, really encouraging indeed. Many times we need a push out of our “daily life bubble” to know better GOD, the world, everything. It was also a great experience for me also ´cause I realized how in need is this world for God´s love. one of my favorite verses:
1 Thessalonians 2:4
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”
Thanks Karin it´s awesome!!
Great points Karin! Lost souls are lost souls no matter if they live here or abroad. Sometimes it seems like a “greater calling” to minister somewhere else when really the severity is equal. Thanks!