I was waiting outside a restaurant for my family to arrive. Because I had nothing to do I noticed a lady with a small table that was set up right by the restaurant. She had a bunch of handmade lanyards and keychains that she was selling.
You could tell that she didn't have much but did her best with all she had.
As I was waiting I saw many people pass by this lady without stopping to take notice of her table. Their eyes were fixed on their destination and it was evident that the lady was unnoticeable to them.
I couldn't help but wonder if this poor lady was instead a famous artist, would people have noticed her then? Probably.
But I honestly would have done the same thing. If I didn't have to wait for my family, I would have been like the others, disregarding this lady who clearly was in need.
However, God has been teaching me to notice the unnoticeable and to be a helping hand whenever I can. Whether it's giving a prophetic word to someone to encourage them, giving money to those in need, or simply smiling at someone and asking how their day was, I want to give what I have and bless others.
I ended up talking with the lady and purchased her lanyards to support her. She shared her story and it was encouraging to see that she was willing to be faithful with the little that God had given her. I encouraged her that she is special in God's eye and that He notices her.
I could tell she felt loved at that moment, and not by me but by Jesus.
When we love and notice others, we open their eyes to see that God noticed them first.
God chooses to display his love to others through us.
We are called to be like Jesus who went to the dark places to help the poor, sick, and lost. He calls us out of darkness to be the light of the world. Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Our purpose is to bring hope to the hopeless. What better way to show Jesus's love to someone than sacrificing what Jesus has given us to help others. When we give what we have to others, people will see God's love through us.
Jesus says in Matthew 25:35-36,40, "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 needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
We are serving Jesus when we help those in need.
It is an honor and a blessing to help those who are less fortunate than us. It may take time for us to notice such people, but we can start by praying and asking the Lord to help us take notice of such people.
Not only will we be blessing those in need, but we ourselves will be blessed here on earth and rewarded in heaven. Jesus said to those who served the needy, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you.."(Matthew 25:34).
As we sow in generosity and kindness, we will also reap what we have sown. When we help those who are in need, Jesus will also help us when we are in need. Luke 6:38 says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
As we give unto others, we are leaving room for Jesus to give back to us evermore abundantly.
Let us be like the good Samaritan in Luke 10 who went out of his way to help the man who got robbed and beaten. Luke 10:34-35 says, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds..Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"
This Samaritan went out of his way to help the man in need, unlike the priest and Levite who saw the dying man yet kept walking.
How many times have we walked past someone in need and kept walking?
Jesus calls us to be like the good Samaritan. We can carry the light of Christ in us, but if we aren't willing to give it away, we can't be a light to the world.
When was the last time you stopped and helped those in need? Will you allow yourself to be used by God and help those in need?
God wants to use you to show others of his love and mercy. It is a blessing to be able to live as Jesus lived and be a vessel that carries the light of Jesus. So remember, notice the unnoticeable.
Prayer: Lord, help me to notice those around me who are in need.
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