God's Specialties

It's called the Golden Rule: you know, do unto others before they can do it unto you. No, that's not right; neither is "he who has the gold rules." The Golden Rule, as taught by Jesus, is found in Luke 6:31, and here is that verse, as well as some subsequent ones:
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

If we only lived that way - the Church and its witness would be strengthened; our culture would be marked by goodness and unselfishness.  Because, God's principles can also be beneficial for those who do not know Him. But, we can become so self-absorbed that we lose sight of what - or who - is around us. We can develop a sensitivity to the people around us, and recognize that God may be leading us to meet their needs, not expecting anything back.

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We can experience the hand of God flowing in and through us in order to accomplish His purposes. As we open our eyes and our hearts, we can recognize how He is working. 2nd Corinthians 9 highlights His overall template for ministering to people:
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God...

For those who are without, God can use those who know Him to help provide for their needs. For those who are without a home or short on daily provision, this is an important concept to grasp - throughout the year, but it is intensified during the holidays and the winter months.

Norma Thornton of Arizona, who is 78 years old, believes that God wants to use her to help the homeless in her area. And, she was actually arrested in a city park for doing it, according to a story appearing on the Faithwire website. 

Say what? The story says that Norma "...made headlines after she was arrested in March for giving food to the homeless at Bullhead City Community Park, a place she had been going to almost daily for four years."  The article relates:

It is reportedly illegal to give out prepared food in the park for “charitable purposes” without a permit. A permit, though, only allows one feeding for a two-hour period once a month — and is expensive.

The article says that:

Thornton has since moved her ministry to a private alleyway, which isn’t precluded by the city ordinance. She’s grateful for the space but worries it isn’t ideal for those who desperately need food.

“God bless the man that lets me use his property, because it’s private property, so it’s OK,” she said. “We’re out of sight of the main public. It’s just a dirt alleyway. … I serve up their food as they come by, and they just sit on the ground. There’s no water, there’s no restroom facilities.”

Despite being grateful, she said it’s “dehumanizing” to make people sit on the ground, lamenting the loss of the benches and spaces where people previously could sit and eat in the park.

But, Norma Thornton is adamant, she will continue to follow God's direction and minister to the homeless.  And God has been faithful.  She relates: 

“Every time I’m in doubt, something happens … suddenly there’s a box of food or a bag of food or whatever it is I need,” she said. “Blankets showed up here at my doorstep just a few days ago. The temperature dropped quite a bit [and] many of the people were very cold.”

Also, as the story states, "... she’s also taking legal action against Bullhead City, Arizona, over the ordinance at the center of her arrest." Thornton says, “The number one motivation is my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Father. We are told repeatedly, the first and most foremost commandment is love,” adding, “Love thy neighbor. Love your fellow man. He [said] several times, ‘What you do to the least of my people, you so do to me.’ That’s basically my motivation.”

God specializes in providing open doors - Norma could have shut things down after her arrest, but found another path to continue her mission.  And, she is appealing to local authorities to change the laws preventing her from carrying out her ministry in the place she desires. 

We can also now that God specializes in providing resources.  This is something that we see in this story, as well.  Others have partnered with her to bring various types of food and supplies to distribute. This is an example of the Lord working through His people to help others as they do His work.  He is identified in 2nd Corinthians 9 as the one who gives "seed to the sower."  We can consider, what has God given me in order to help meet needs?

God specializes in providing the right heart or attitude.  Norma Thornton talked about her "motivation," rooted in what Jesus said about reaching out to "the least of these." As we embark on this year's Christmas season, perhaps we can be reinvigorated in recognizing the attitude we should possess as servants of the Most High and allow His love to well up and flow through us.