FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH CARTHAGE, TX
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WHAT DO YOU NEED?

5/1/2019

1 Comment

 

    ​“What can I do for you today?”  That’s a pretty standard greeting when you walk into a shop, especially a quaint little mom and pop store.  What do you need, how can I help you, or may I be of service? We may have walked in with something specific on our mind or a shopping list or we may just want to browse for a bit to see what they have to offer.  People often come to God or the church in the same way.  They may have well thought out questions such as on the day of Pentecost, “What must I do to be saved?”  Other times folks aren’t sure, they know they’re looking for something but not sure what it is.  We need to be ready for all wanders.
    The question, “What can I do for you?” may seem like a strange greeting to someone who has just dropped in to visit but it may get them to thinking.  Have you ever done something which you thought was random only to discover there was a purpose after all?  Have you stopped to talk to someone, even a perfect stranger, not really knowing why and find that God had a plan for that conversation?  We need to make room for God to move in our lives.  We need to be willing to start conversations, not knowing where they may lead.  We need to take time, and what a precious commodity that is.  It is in these moments that God reveals so much, not just the needs of others, but to show us our own needs.
    I know that feels scary, to open that door, to invite someone to share their world with you.  It might be a world of hurt.  They might share needs that would cost us to help meet or they might even disagree with us and challenge our faith or position.  The great explorers of old never made a single discovery by staying in the harbor.  All those great adventures, all the new lands, all those things which made them famous came as a result of throwing off their moorings and heading out to sea.  Your next adventure may begin with a handshake or a simple question, “Can I help you?”
Don
 

1 Comment
Darla Hatton
5/19/2019 06:00:33 am

Loved your blog Pastor Don. I totally agree about reaching out to strangers and becoming engaged in conversation. I purposefully do this and it is such a blessing in my life. One time I said to myself how many people can I talk with as I went into a grocery store, I left feeling great having having connected with 7 total strangers. An elderly woman in the bread aisle inspired me to actually purposefully do this. I made a comment about some bread that lead to her pouring her heart out to me, her pain and losses to the point of nearly tears for both of us. I listened to her and showed empathy. It was a good experience for the both of us. As we parted, I thought to myself, I wonder how long it had been since someone had talked with her. We don’t know another person’s circumstance. I have met several people even in the check out line. We live in a day where human interaction is very limited. Also being kind to the cashier when they see so many distant and grumpy faces pass by... be the one that stands apart with God’s love. It does make a difference! Hebrews 13:2 says it all. Again, I loved your blog...one of my smaller soap boxes but still as important! Glory to God!!!

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