I Want to Help People...Right?

I want to help people.
I want to help people.
I SAY I want to help people.
I THINK I want to help people.
Do I want to help people?

Sometimes I’m not to sure. Sometime I doubt there’s any goodness in my heart, not discounting the presence of God’s Spirit dwelling inside me, but sometimes it seems like the selfish side of me is the dominant force flowing throughout my body…leaving little or no room for God to have His way in me.

For example, just this morning my beautiful wife misplaced her phone. She was nearing panic. She, like most of us (or some of you), have very busy workdays, schedules to keep, deadlines to meet, people to see, places to go, and the slightest delay or detour seems to shift the momentum of your ENTIRE day. That was her morning. Stressful, eh?

I looked at the clock. I had some margin. My son didn’t need to be at school JUST yet. So, I did what any good, well-intentioned husband would do…I’LL HELP! I’LL FIX THIS! I’LL COME TO THE RESCUE!

Right.

After 15 minutes I found myself growing resentful. I felt inconvenienced. The trajectory of MY day was now starting to shift. Why did I volunteer for this? Did I REALLY want to help you? My son is going to be late. Where is your phone? Seriously…where could it be?

Then…in an almost serene moment…amidst the chaos, as tensions were rising, just on the cusp of tears and breakdown, we spoke to each other, encouraged one another, inspired one another…

Can’t you just use that App?

Within 5 minutes my wife was driving away, phone in hand.
Within 5 minutes I was driving away, son fastened in his seat.
Within 5 minutes catastrophe was averted.

As I drove to my son’s school I didn’t feel good about myself, I didn’t feel like I had accomplished something, I didn’t feel like I had helped the situation, let alone a PERSON! Instead, I was frustrated at the thought of possibly, just possibly being late to my son’s school.

That’s when the question came to mind, “Do I want to help people?”

Do I REALLY want to help people? Or do I merely want to help people so long as it isn’t an INCONVENIENCE?

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40 NIV84

God doesn’t say love people if it fits into your schedule. Goes doesn’t say love people if you have time. God doesn’t say love people so long as they have an appointment. God doesn’t say love people when it’s planned.

God says love people.
God says love people as yourself.
God, help that to be me. I want to help people. Do you?