A major change in our lives takes place when we begin noticing the need around us. It is only when we mature in the faith that we can shift our focus away from ourselves to others. As we begin our spiritual journey, we are often unaware of someone in need right in front of us, but that changes as we grow in faith. As we mature in faith the Lord begins to open our eyes to people who were there all along.
Our hearts change as the Lord transforms. Perhaps there was a time when you felt overlooked by others. The Lord can use these negative experiences to give us greater sensitivity toward others. Even the Apostle Paul had this experience. Philippians 2:20“I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.” [1]
Peter and John Noticed the Needs of a Beggar
Peter and John were going to the temple to pray and on their way, they came by a man who was begging. In Acts 3:2 we learn this lame man was at the temple gate each day. Had Peter and John seen him before? We don’t know as the text does not say. The text does say they interacted with him as they went into the temple.
Acts 3:1Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” [2]
Lord, Help Me to See the Needs of Others
If you would like to see the needs of others better, begin with prayer. With God’s help we can begin to see people who would have been invisible a few minutes before. I am always amazed when God adjusts the way we perceive the world around us.
Love in action is meeting the needs of other people. We do this out of our love for Jesus just like Peter and John did in our story. It is Jesus working through us. The more we let Jesus work through us, the more opportunities the Lord will give us. As we help others, we discover that helping them is a gift from God! God indeed has more for us as we give more of ourselves to others.
For help in noticing the needs of others around us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-healing-at-the-temple
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.