Follow Your Calling and Mind Your Business

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend lately, and while I am hesitant to hit a hot button I’ve got some things to say.  Take a deep breath and prepare to clutch your pearls.
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It’s not our business how other people are called to help or serve.  There. I said what I said. What do I mean by that? Well, if Karen feels called to bring foster children into her home - leave your judgement at the door.  Instead, bring over a couple pizzas and get to know those kids or, and I mean this with all the love- HUSH. If Joe decides that his charitable dollars are best spent in extra giving to his church - mind your business.  And if Susan wants to spend her weekends feeding the homeless, pray for her mission. Don’t tell her how she should spend her time rescuing exotic spiders from deteriorating rain forests instead.  

Lately, I’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of, “well group XYZ needs more help than group ABC. You should help XYZ first.”  WHAT?!? God put Susan’s and Joe’s and Karen’s all here with DIFFERENT missions, ministries, talents, and abilities to cover more bases.  When we add our judgement and condescending attitude to the mix of fear and doubt the enemy uses to discourage people from serving - well, guess who’s work we are doing then?  Not God’s. 

I spent several years serving as an advocate for severly abused children.  People would constantly say things like, "Ew, it's just so sad.  I could never do that. I can't stand to hear about it."  Well, gosh Lovely Person, that's encouraging.   But someone has to do it.  Someone NEEDS to do it.  And, with the help of God, I served there throughout the season He called me there.   
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Y’all, there is enough pain and suffering in this world to go around.  I believe if each of us just did the works and missions that God called us to do there would be a lot less.  He instilled that passion for your calling in you. Who are we to judge how another is called to work for the Lord?  

Listen, we are called to help the poor, the downtrodden, those in need.  The biblical instruction there is clear. But it does not say - make sure to tell others that you feel that they should not help one group or that there is a better group they could give their time and money to.  

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in it’s various forms. 
1 Peter 4:10

​We don’t all have the same gifts.  Hallelujah! What a beautiful creation we are as a whole, all different, yet complementary.  Take, for instance, the work of those called to the immediate aftermath of natural disasters.  I’m not called there, but I thank the Lord that there are people who He did call to that noble work. And while people are sitting back saying, “those people are crazy, they could get hurt”, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the victims they rescue are pretty thankful for them.    
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In a time when we are so divided as a nation, even in our own neighborhoods, here is one area where we can immediately get to work building bridges.  Let’s do that. Let’s each make a conscious effort to lift each other up in this area. If you see a friend on the cusp of stepping out into their calling to service, build them up.  Pray for them. If you can’t be an encouragement - say nothing. Then, if you don’t already know what your assignment is, ask the Lord how and where he wants you to help. If you get busy on your assignment, I have found you don’t have a whole lot of time to worry about what everyone else is doing.  

There is no shortage of needs.  Children, homeless, veterans, animals, on and on and on.  Not sure where to start? Just start. Jump in. And if you do get any attitude, rebuke that business and keep on keeping on.  He knows your heart. God is with you - always. 

Love and Prayers,
Jessica 
P.S. Sorry I’m so sassy.  Love y’all.