Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3 NIV
When I read this, as mentioned before, the first thing I thought was: let me send this to the girls. They are grown women, but I call them girls. Lol. We even have a name - Peter, James, and John. I'm John. One of us is mouthy and a little on the bold side. She's Peter (mouth always getting them in trouble). The other is quiet sometimes and was left with James. She didn't mind. Lol.
I thought of them because God has been telling Peter to do good for months now. So I asked the girls if they were still doing good.
Peter said she'd fallen off but James never replied (she pops in, gives a word of wisdom and pops back out - did I tell you she's a multiple business owner and runs a household 7!). Peter went on to say she needed to get back on her assignment and I challenged them to continue and report back so we can rejoice. (Peter better cause God told her over, and over, and over, and over...to do good.)
What is doing good exactly? Well for me, it's seeing a need and meeting it. I recall when I was in Egypt one time and an Egyptian asked my friend for her Nike shoes. My friend was taken aback by the request and basically snubbed the guy. I was flabbergasted! How could she?
As we walked away I asked her why not. I also reminded her that this Egyptian will probably never own a pair of authentic Nikes and she can get them a dime a dozen.
This, my dear readers, opened my eyes to so much! Many of us Americans fail to look outside of ourselves to meet a need. We are so caught up in getting the next best thing, we've completely forgotten to see people as we pass them. We've snubbed so many that any minute now, the rug can be pulled from beneath us and we're the next person in need.
I'm reminded of the little children who stand right outside the border of Mexico, just outside the tunnel that leads to Tijuana. It's midnight. Their parents and siblings are sleeping (maybe for the first time all day) while smaller, more adorable children try their hardest to sell you Chiclet gum. I can hear their sounds now - Chiclets? Chiclets? The sound of small candy coated gum hitting the metal of the boxes they hold them in as they shake them in unison with their calling - Chiclets? Chiclets?
Again in Bukhara, small children would meet you as you step out of your vehicle. Most staring as they've never seen a black person before. Others watching in awe - you must be a movie star with your jewelry and nice shoes and clothing. So you definitely can buy a handmade doll. A bag? What about a keyring? Nothing? C'mon! There's gotta be something you can spend your wad of crispy, freshly exchanged local currency on!
And we've all seen the pictures of children throughout the US. Almost nothing left for them to eat. Dirt streaked faces smeared with tears. Clothing shabby and falling apart.
Oh? You didn't know we had families like this in the US?
Oh, darling! Sorry to spring this on you but there are. Maybe down the road, right across the street, or across town, but they are definitely there.
No matter where you go, there is an opportunity to do good. Just yesterday I tipped the lady who brought us juice and water at the all inclusive resort we are staying at $10. In local currency, I just gave her over 450 RD$! After inconspicuously slipping it in her hand, I wondered if she made this in a week? A month?
But I felt good about it. It gave me a sudden pep in my step. Honestly, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to share with her. We'd already walked away and as we were walking out the door, I stopped my hubby to grab my wallet from the stroller. I walked back, fumbling for a few dollar bills. There were four of them, some tens, 20s, few 100s...but I heard it: give her $10. Honestly, I gave God my 'Seriously, God! Seriously?!' pause but I slipped it to her any way.
Today when we saw her, I knew the Holy Spirit answered a prayer for her. The smile on her face said it all. And her service provided was even greater than the day before. Sure...she could have just been grateful and wanting more but she could have also been just grateful.
So as she attended to us for a second straight day, I felt relaxed in knowing I met some need I know nothing about. I wanted to hug this young lady who shared a small piece about herself with her in broken English, but English nevertheless. To me, her attempt was well welcomed.
But doing this good (especially when it is not required and probably advised against) reminded me that we are to do good at all time. We are to bless and help the poor!
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 19:17 NIV
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
Proverbs 14:31 NIV
And this one!!! Boy this one!!!! I'm just gonna add it and let it soak in.
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
1 John 3:17-20 NIV
We live in a time of more than enough and yet we keep grabbing for more. There is a primary principal that must be followed:
Give and it shall come back to you
Pressed down, shaking together and running over!
Remember this childhood song? It's more than a song. It's a kingdom law! When we give, it always comes back. ALWAYS!
Psalm 37:3 says
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
When we trust God in his leading, do the good he nudges us towards, we will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pastures. To bring this to 21st century terms, when we trust and do His bidding, we shall have where ever and whatever he has promised us.
I, personally, like to quote Joshua 1 when it refers to land:
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Joshua 1:3 KJV
And you better gosh, darn believe my feet do some serious walking!
So when was the last time you did good? Try it and feel God smile on you.
Love,
Keiyia JOYet George
Read the Intro and Part 1
As always, comments are welcome but I prefer you do good. Have you ever walked on 'land' to claim it? I sure have! Try it! As he promised Moses, Joshua and me, he promised you as well.