I was in a hurry, but I saw him as I crossed the street.
He was a young man, digging in a garbage can. Despite my haste to cross the street, I noticed he took out one bag and reached for another. I was short on time, so I chose not to recognize him as one created in the image of God.
For decades, I had always prided myself on having a spare dollar readily available to gift someone in need. That day as always, I had the dollar in my phone case. I saw his need, but I did not give him the dollar.
As I continued my journey, my spirit became troubled. I was ashamed of my inaction. An opportunity had presented itself to do what God wanted me to do—care for others—and I failed. God reminded me that He sees everything we do and do not do.
Jesus has called us to show kindness, but when we choose not to, we have not shown kindness to Him. We all want to find favor with God, and we say that we love Him, but when we fail to do good to the “least of these,” we have not shown our love for Him.
We should do as God has commanded by showing love. And a loving action would have been for me to give the dollar to the young man. On the day I ignored him, I failed God.
God can help us see those who are in need. He can also help us seize the opportunities to do good works. And when we do for others, we do for God.
Ask God for the opportunities and the desire to do good to others.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Norma E. Williams is married and has three adult daughters. She is an educator and an ordained minister who serves in her local church. She is a graduate of Church Teachers’ College in Jamaica, Brooklyn College, and New York Theological Seminary. She lives by her high school motto, Sic Luceat Lux, and has a passion for leading others to Christ. She is an avid reader who loves to write.