Next to us

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to Me [ignoring personal danger].’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40 AMP)

(This article from a 4/20/24 email by Amy J. Hawkins.)

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” ― Mother Teresa

Turn off the social media. Turn down the noise of the podcasts and second-by-second news reports. Do not let the negative rants and world calamities distract you from what matters.
Does it all matter? YES! Should we be informed on what is happening in our world? YES!
But the wringing of our hands over state, national and world affairs should NEVER stop us from doing what is right for those around us.

Quit looking for Jesus to return as the answer to our world sorrows. He warned us there would be trouble. But that’s okay! It’s part of living in this world! And He is not shocked by what we face; He is ready to help us through it.

Solutions – and miracles – often come, in the process of taking action.

Get busy loving the least among you and watch your hope – and theirs – arise.
God is not done with us yet. We must tune out the noise, focus more on Him and the tasks He has put before us: loving the person nearest you is a good place to start!

– Amy J. Hawkins, Generation Strategies

God,

Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and open hearts so we may serve those around us with your grace, love, and blessings. Help us remember that small acts of kindness represent larger change in our world. We ask this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.