Do You Have Room In Your Heart For The Lord?

19 Oct

“Show me your hands.  Do they have scars from giving?  Show me your feet.  Are they wounded in service?  Show me your heart.  Have you left a place for divine love?”  ~ Fulton J. Sheen

What’s in it for me?  As I reflect at times, this is a question, sadly, that we ask all too often.  We seem to be motivated by what we are going to get out of something — recognition or reward — rather than by the importance of doing something for others.  When we do things for others, we often hold it over their heads and remind them that we have done this or that.  Doing so, we try to make sure that we get something in return if not now, at least in the future.

What’s in it for me?  That is not the question that a Christian should ask.  The first thing a Christian should ask is, “What can I do for you?  What do you need?  Are you all right?  Is there any way I can help you?” Our questions should be about the other and our actions should benefit the other.  Anything else is just selfish.

What’s in it for me?  That is not the question the Lord would want us to ask.  Jesus instructed His disciples to do as He did.  He was never motivated by self.  He never did anything for His own benefit.  He always looked out for the good of others even when He was weary.  If someone came to Him in need, however he may have felt, He gave Himself completely to the other person.

What’s in it for me?  This question turns other people off.  If they see us asking that over and over again, they will avoid us because, in the final analysis, no one wants to be around a selfish or greedy person.  Those kind of people suck the life out of others.

When we are face to face with Jesus, He is going to ask us to show Him our hands, our feet, and our heart.  If our bodies are weary and worn from the journey and are marked by constant giving to others and if our heart is keening for Him, well, we will hear the words any soul longs to hear:  “What can I do for you, good and faithful servant?”

FAITH ACTION:  Knowing that you can do it best by loving service to others, make sure to show the world today that you are more serious about the Lord, Jesus Christ than about yourself.