Today's Devotional

September 1, 2005

Subject:  Where Have I Been?

Galatians 2:10 - "The only thing they asked us to do was to remember the poor, the very thing which I was eager to do."

Preoccupied with my life and all that has been going on there, little did I realize that a neighboring state was crumbling to the ground or should I say, dissolving into the ground?  When I began to watch news coverage on Tuesday, I couldn't believe the amount of devastation that had taken place in New Orleans and the states of Mississippi and Alabama.  My heart was broken.  As I prayed for the people who were subject to Hurricane Katrina, God began to open up opportunities to "exercise my heart."  I mean it's one thing to have a heart for something, but it's something else to exercise the desire of your heart.  So that's what's happening now.  

My JROTC unit is mobilizing to start a donation drive which will happen over the next 4 days and then on Labor Day, we will deliver the items to a distribution point designated by The Salvation Army.  At home, we're attempting to open up our church and facilities as a shelter for the evacuees headed to Houston.  What an opportunity!  These are the kind of circumstances where churches really shine.  It's like that verse says, "people are asking us to remember the less fortunate" and we're chomping at the bit because that's what we want to do anyway.  It's God's people with a heart for God's creatures and to think I almost missed it because I was "too busy."

Today I ask, what makes you drop everything, sacrifice your schedule and your plans to help others?  Is it that emergencies can only happen on your schedule or are you open to the moves of God as He directs us to those who need our help?  When I looked in the mirror after seeing all of the hurting people in the southern states who were victims of Hurricane Katrina, I could only utter those words.  "Where have I been?"  Probably in "my" business, but I'm supposed to be in "His" instead.  Now I'm back and I'm "ready for the very thing which I am eager to do."  

Carlen