So What About?

The Psalm I read this morning was Psalm 145, verses 13-18...  I admit I struggled a little when I first read it...  Here's how my thought process went... (My thoughts are in parenthesis)...

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.  The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made." (Ok... but what about the people in Africa?  Do they feel loved?)

"The LORD upholds those who fall down and lifts up all who are bowed down."  (Definitely know the truth of that!!)

"The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time."  (Ok, I believe that ALL of the Bible is true, but I'm struggling with this one...  Not everyone has food...  Many die every day from starvation...  How do I make this work in my head?)

"You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."  (Still struggling, some just desire food and water...  You're definitely Enough for all my needs...but what about the hunger thing?)

"The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.  The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth."  (I get loving everyday...but I'm not hungry...do hungry people get it?)

So there's a very real and honest look at what was happening in my head and heart...  But here's what God reminded me of...

For whatever reason, God has CHOSEN to use the church to be His hands and feet to the world, at this time.  He doesn't need to do that...  Just look in the Old Testament... He made manna and quail rain down from heaven and He fed the Israelites as they wandered in the desert...  He told Moses to strike a rock and water flowed from a rock...  God is perfectly capable of providing, all by Himself.

But that is not how He has chosen to do it...  He has given US the BLESSING of being His hands and feet...  I remember the first time I gave a man a grocery card on the side of the road...  I got a little ways down the road and had to pull over because I was crying so hard...  I was COMPLETELY overwhelmed at the blessing and privilege of getting to help someone in need! 

And yet, I live like I think that getting a new sweater or a new pair of shoes is an even greater blessing...  But it's NOT...  New anything has NEVER once blessed my soul like helping someone else

So, is Scripture wrong?  NO!!  Is God falling down on His job?  NOOOOO!!  We (the church) are the ones who are misrepresenting our Great and Glorious God to the world!  Too many of us (like me) have bought into the lie that stuff will bless us and bring us happiness...  but that's what it is...  a lie! 

There is no greater blessing than having the opportunity to show God off... to proclaim His greatness... His provision...  His generosity...  to someone in need!

Scripture is true about God...  it is the responsibility of the church to make sure the world sees and knows that!!