“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13 NASB)
Yesterday, in fact to be more precise, about five hours ago, I was walking through the dining room while my wife was on a conference call. I tip-toed quietly to the living room and headed on my way back to my bedroom where the Lord is working out my physical recovery. Just moments before this I thought to myself, “Mark, you get a lot of inspiration from the human behaviors you see outside of the house and beyond your recollection of your personal experience.” With the exception of dropping off my tithes and offerings Saturday, and preaching a short sermon on Sunday virtually, I have been regulated to the house. But get this! God showed me that He can inspire you anywhere at any time, in accordance with His Almighty purpose.
You see, while I was walking through the dining room, I overheard some dialogue about an upcoming “Feed the Homeless” initiative that our church will carry-out in the midst of the cold, frigid, Indiana winter, in the middle of the Covid pandemic, and in the middle of the congregation’s inability to convene in person for a couple of weeks, for safety reasons. Here are these born again, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; beaten a by the work requirements of their regular professions; here they are discussing final plans for serving the least of these my brethren. Once I heard it, I asked one question and made one suggestion. I then said goodnight. In the same way that the Lord looks down on us and is well pleased when we are good stewards of our time and faithful in fulfilling His words, I went to lay down feeling the same way. I was pleased, proud, and peace flooded my inner being.
Listen! Keep the verse above in mind. Yes, you are free indeed. Yet don’t let your freedom turn into an opportunity for the flesh! Through love, serve one another. You were taught in your elementary science classes, and I know that I have said it before, “Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time.” Use your “space” and “use your “time” to serve somebody today! You will feel great! And God will appreciate your choosing to help someone along the way! Have a wonderful day! Be blessed!
“Then He (the Lord) will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:45)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King