At our men’s Bible study on Saturday I received a valuable insight. We were studying the beginning of John 13. Jesus is washing the disciples’ feet and teaching about servanthood.
I am not gifted in mercy, helps or service. I really get tired of helping people who are always in need because of what looks to me to be poor planning, bad habits or just plain laziness. That is not the insight. A couple of the men present are loaded with the gifts of service and helps. One of them said something to the effect that there were times when he really did not want to help some people because they did not deserve it.
I was surprised and asked him if I had heard him correctly. He said, “Yes, at times it is really hard to help people.” That was a valuable insight to me. If merciful people feel that way, I am not so weird. Of course I need to realize that should not be an excuse for me to not help. That is another lesson I need to learn.
Just because I don’t have a gift does not mean I don’t have a responsibility.
It was a morning well spent.
homo unius libri
Good point!
ReplyDeleteI am still working through it.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.