Blind Side

My mom just told me that the news was telling everyone to bring their pets etc. inside. A homeless woman recently froze to death.

At first I just say, "That's sad...", but I realize how narrow my scope of the world is. Where I'm standing, all I can see is my world: school at Peninsula, homework at home, extracurricular activities, and church at PVBC. I just got sick, and with finals looming and countless December events/gigs to prepare for, I think I have it bad. Sickness is the last thing I need. Like this is all the worst combo that could happen. When I remember that there are people like this suffering much greater problems, the conviction is temporary and I forget, quickly moving onto another.

I think there's a small (and deceptive) voice in my head telling me that it's not my place or time to be helping those people. Or that I can simply do it later. There's this mentality that where I am, and all academics and the ministry that I surround my life around, is all that I'm responsible for. I've forgotten my responsibilities according to God's standards and the incredible ability of prayer. PRAYER which asks of God and prompts His movement...I can be praying for these people..interceding for strangers and non-believers and those who endure the world without hope. I can be asking God to soften their hearts to His presence and joy and comfort.

I forget to pray for the sick/hungry unless I'm asked to. I forget that our God is powerful and faithful and loving. I think of Him as this far off figure that I'm serving without truly knowing. Now I pray that this conviction would last, and that if I do forget, that I would be reminded. While I sit here knowing the luxuries of food, shelter, education, family, and abundant blessings, I still lack something. That woman saw and understood true suffering. Regarding this, she had a greater scope of the world.

Lord, even if it means taking away these blessings, please help me to understand suffering so that what breaks Your heart would break mine. Give me less so that this would no longer be a blind side, but a daily conviction of the heart. Help me to love. Be with, watch over, and speak to those who are truly suffering from hopelessness, pressure, burdens, sickness. Provide for the homeless and feed the hungry. Spread the Word. Guide the lost. Convict the proud.