Squeaks & Pains
The squeaky wheel gets the oil, they say. How true. I pay attention to things that are irritating me a lot more than the things that aren't. Like pains in my body. I can't say I think about my toes all day long. But if I stub one of them into a piece of furniture, you better believe all my attention is on that toe!
In the same way, I think God will let us hear the 'squeaky wheels' and feel the 'stubbed toes' and pain of people around us. Maybe we are blindsided by someone's cruel words. Maybe we are hearing someone complain a lot about their life and it becomes irritating how they bring a dark cloud with them wherever they go. Or maybe we are even being persecuted for our beliefs. These squeaks and pains are not pleasant, but they do have a way of getting our attention! Because of it, we are suddenly more aware of those people -- much more than when they weren't 'squeaking' so loudly in our ears.
So many people need our prayers. And I'm learning that we don't always pray for those that need it most, simply because we are not aware of the depth of their need. We just don't see it. But God sees it. And He knows how desperately they need Him and need our prayers and love.
Could it be, then, that when we experience persecution, or hate from our enemies, or grief from others, that in part, God is simply trying to get our attention and make us aware of their need for Him? If we aren't aware, we may not think to pray for them, and we may not think to reach out and tell them about Jesus.
So, the next time someone squeaks loudly in your ears or you are brushed by their pain, consider that maybe this is just an alert signal that God needs you to love on them.
In the same way, I think God will let us hear the 'squeaky wheels' and feel the 'stubbed toes' and pain of people around us. Maybe we are blindsided by someone's cruel words. Maybe we are hearing someone complain a lot about their life and it becomes irritating how they bring a dark cloud with them wherever they go. Or maybe we are even being persecuted for our beliefs. These squeaks and pains are not pleasant, but they do have a way of getting our attention! Because of it, we are suddenly more aware of those people -- much more than when they weren't 'squeaking' so loudly in our ears.
So many people need our prayers. And I'm learning that we don't always pray for those that need it most, simply because we are not aware of the depth of their need. We just don't see it. But God sees it. And He knows how desperately they need Him and need our prayers and love.
Could it be, then, that when we experience persecution, or hate from our enemies, or grief from others, that in part, God is simply trying to get our attention and make us aware of their need for Him? If we aren't aware, we may not think to pray for them, and we may not think to reach out and tell them about Jesus.
So, the next time someone squeaks loudly in your ears or you are brushed by their pain, consider that maybe this is just an alert signal that God needs you to love on them.
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father is heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:44-48NLT
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