Be About Meeting the Need Not The Problem

John 9-Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

Don't you just hate when people make assumptions about your life and your situation and they really have no idea what they are talking about? Most, myself included would answer yes. Then why do we do it to others?

Over the last 2 years I have learned intimately how painful it is to br condemned by others who are on the outside of your situation. And I have thought to myself how has my judgemental assumptions hurt others? Why wasn't I more loving? Why was telling them all that was wrong more important than meeting their need?

In the story of the man born blind, the first thing that people focused on was what was the reason he was born blind. Jesus's response, there is no reason. And truthfully the reason doesn't matter because it's and opportunity for God to show up and reveal His power and love.

Often times we are like the people in this parable. We are always wondering what the person did wrong to become "blind". However, we take offense when people do it to us. God didn't say love your neighbor as yourself for no reason (Mark 12:30, 31). It's supposed to cause us to stop, think and do something different. When we see others situations we need to: Worry about yourself before judging others. Supply your opinion if asked. Lend a listening ear. Pray. Ask God for discernment.

Jesus has and always will be about meeting the need. The man was blind, Jesus gave Him sight. The woman in adultery needed freedom, He forgave and freed her (John 8:1-11). The woman at the well needed water, He provided living water (John 4:1-25). Human nature is always about trying to determine the cause and we end up never actually helping because we are too busy condemning.

We all have thoughts and opinions but more often than not we are not called to call out someone, we are called to love them as they need to be loved not the way we think they need to be loved. Jesus never called out those who we would condemn but called out those doing the condemning (i.e. The Pharisees).

If Jesus didn't, why do we? Be about meeting the need not the problem.

The Unlikely Missionary