Shame On Me

Shame on me for thinking the way I think at times. It is a good thing that my thoughts are not His thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8). Shame on me for thinking the lady in the grocery checkout doesn't need to be spending her food stamps on quality meat. Shame on me for thinking the homeless guy carrying a smartphone has his priorities wrong. Shame on me for thinking the CEO of a corporation is selfish for having a company jet. Shame on me.

I find myself more desperate to imitate Christ and yet my fleshly ways rear their ugly heads. How does that happen? If I truly read and adopt all the promises and commands in The Word, how does my brain over power the truth so often? I mean, I am one deep thinking chick most of the time. I have to be. With the past that I picked out for myself, I constantly have to retrain my thoughts. I often tell ladies that after certain situations and circumstances, you will never think the same again. Of course God can do the whole renewing of the mind, but it still requires us "taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ" (aka my translation "Trap the crap" from 2Corinthians 10:5).

God doesn't do His best with lazy sons and daughters. He wants Kingdom kids that are go getters. For example, Christ wants us to serve. The outcome of that serving is His responsibility. He wants us to love. The willingness of the recipient is up to Him. He wants us to tithe and then He is the one from whom all blessings flow. So, if I am to look at people through the eyes of Christ (at first glance) then I have to work at it and Jesus will help me to see all things in a beautiful way.

I have struggled with eye infections since June. I have been to the doctor almost every two weeks and have been on meds since that time. My eyes stay red and water constantly. Basically, I look like the most emotional and depressed Christ follower. It has been a constant nuisance and reminder. I have been reminded to pray for new eyes....physically and spiritually.

So let me tell you what I have learned with my new eyes. I have personally experienced all three "shame on me" moments that I mentioned in the beginning. After learning more about the people and trying to see things differently, this is what I found. The lady at the grocery store with her food stamps has a son with very specific allergies and she is doing her best to take care of his diet within her limits. The homeless man with a smartphone has it for a reason. He has to be able to check in for his work shifts so he can make enough money to get his kids back. He also desires to stay in touch with his kids until they are back together. By the way, the smartphone was a donation if you just wondered why he didn't have a cheaper phone. I know this because I thought the same way at first. Lastly, the CEO with the private jet uses his jet to fly people all over the country. It is his ministry to love on others that may not be able to afford travel or for someone who has an emergency. He also spends air time getting to know people and their stories a little better. He is a busy man who still finds time to make people feel special. He is a man giving back for the ways that God has blessed him.

Shame on us for assuming the worst at times when God really wants us to see Him at His best. I challenge you to look at things differently today. Get to know the characters in God's story and in those moments you will see of the most beautiful things God is up to. The real blessing comes when He just might use you and your new eyesight to help out.