What is Your Blind Spot?

Mark 10:21

 

21Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Me."

 

 

Why does the subject of possessions keep coming up? Because God wants EVERYONE to understand the basics. In Hosea 4:6 the Word says, "My people perish from a lack of knowledge." Jesus doesn't want anyone to perish. What is standing in the way? The rich young ruler wanted to know what he must do to inherit eternal life. He told Jesus he kept all the commandments since he was young. The NKJ Study Bible makes a note, "Jesus sought to reach the man by revealing the blind spots in his spiritual life."

The young man's response was one of sorrow as the Word says because the young man had many possessions. The disciples were amazed by Jesus' response to the young man. The NKJ Study Bible notes the following, "Riches are neither good nor bad. But when they take the place of God by being the object of trust, that trust indicates money has become an idol."

 

What is your blind spot? There are some of you, whom like the young ruler, Jesus has asked you to lay something aside or lay it down, in order to do something He called you to do. You haven't done what Jesus called you to do because you don't want to make the sacrifice. That very issue is what is standing in the way between you and Christ. Yes, you have an acquaintance with Christ but you are keeping Him at arms length. Jesus has likely already told you what that "thing" is. Jesus made the greatest sacrifice anyone could ever make, He gave His life. Surely you can give up something for the one who loves you. Jesus wants your total trust and love. Yes, it is hard to do. But greater is the reward that He has for you. Many have not gotten to the point where they can give away whatever God has given them. Look at the dedicated mother Hannah. She wanted a child so bad. God blessed her with that child, Samuel. She loved God so much for answering her prayer that she dedicated him back to the Lord. And for it, God used Samuel to the fullest as a prophet to kings. Again, what is your blind spot? What did Jesus ask you to lay down or give away? The Lord wants to know He is really first in your life.

The Price of Not Heeding

Ezekiel 2:6

6"And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.

 

This was one of the scriptures God used to convict me of my disobedience the first time I had to write a less than a "feel good message" to all of you that might not soothe the "itching ears." I feared the reactions and rejection of the others, of all of you at one point in time. Jesus said in Matthew 10 not to fear the ones that could kill the body but the one who could kill both body and soul. God, and God alone. God has since relayed to me multiple times, through several others, "they are not rejecting you, but God so do not loose heart." I am going to tell right now, this is not a feel good message but an eye witness account of the price of not heeding. It is wrapped up in so many things and hard to begin.

 

Throughout the day, my mind kept reverting back to a friend who went home to be with the Lord a few years ago. That friend, Xeiva Quinn, would've celebrated a birthday on May 18th. In less than a month I will return to the same venue of community outreach Xeiva first introduced me to when I sang alongside her in the Mass Choir at the church where I was baptized. But this time, it is by invitation from another group. I recall the months leading up to Xeiva's death and the lesson I learned to go with it. What does this have to do with you? Trust me, you'll understand by the end of this tapestry- just follow along please.

 

I had begun the process of compiling the pieces for my first book, Get Your JOY In The Morning. The Bishop I was under at that time was hosting an event where the saints could utilize their God-given gifts to those in attendance. I had volunteered to be in the program. Early that afternoon in 2009 I suddenly had memories of my time with my former church family and Xeiva was in the forefront of my mind. When I arrived at the entrance of the venue for the showcase, I found Xeiva at the front door. She had been invited by a mutual friend who played the drums for the bishop. I had tears of joy and she and I embraced as friends with such excitement. It was at that event that I sang and recited a poem that ended up at the beginning of my second book,  Shh Don't Tell. I promised Xeiva that I would go back to visit. I surprised her a month later as God had been prompting me to visit. On December 19th, 2009, the day of the huge snow storm, I shared with Xeiva that I had just submitted my manuscript in hopes of a book contract. She was so excited. Xeiva made me promise that I would call her when it was official. I didn't keep my promise. My intent was to wait until the contract was in my hand and signed. Tuesday, January 12th I had signed the contract but was running to an event that night and I told myself that I would call Xeiva the next day instead.

 

January 13, 2010 at 10am, I realized I still had not called Xeiva. I was at work but wanted to stop and call her. I looked at my cell phone and picked it up. As I went to dial, God said "No." At approximately 5:45pm that night, I was at the corner of 24th between N and O streets in Washington, D.C. when the call came from my girlfriend that Xeiva had died that morning. Doubled over in a gut-wrenching pain and tears, I realized it was too late to keep my promise. I knew I was supposed to call Xeiva long before that morning, but did not heed. My wonderful girlfriend who called to give me the news later said, "Joy, whose to say she would've answered the phone? She hadn't returned any of our calls the 2 days leading up to her death." But I know I was supposed to call. And even if I didn't speak to her, I could've left it on her voicemail. Even if I had not spoken with her, she would've at least known. I have apologized to God many times over, I know my sin was forgiven, but it's a hard lesson to live with at times because I cannot pick up and call her just say thank you for supporting me and loving me. I cannot call her to thank her for allowing her light, love of God and evangelistic work to influence me. I shall always remember my friend Xeiva but also, the price of not heeding.

Even in the Fall

Micah 7:8

 

8Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

 

The prophet Micah warned Israel of God's pleading with them to turn from their sins. Eventually, God pronounced judgment on Israel for their continued disobedience. But God! The rod of punishment was only temporary. Israel of course had enemies. Those enemies were glad that judgment fell on Israel because it gave them the impression that they were victorious. But God is ALWAYS victorious! He brought the people of Israel out and He was still with them even in the time of their punishment. The NKJ Study Bible notes, "God's plan for His people would not ultimately be thwarted by their sin." So even though the people of Israel sinned, God's purpose and plan for them would not return void. Israel got in their own way, but God always has the final say.

 

Have you ever noticed when you are battle your enemy begins to rejoice the minute you fall. But your enemy's ignorance is not knowing that God is with you even in your fall, while you are down and as He brings you back up. God says in His word that He will never leave you nor forsake you. So no matter how hard you may fall whether from your own sin or from the attack of the enemy, it is only temporary. The Lord will still light the path for you to rise from the fall. God has already redeemed you before the fall occurred because of Jesus! The NKJ Study Bible has a wonderful note, "Micah portrayed Jerusalem as speaking to the enemy who would assault her, 'Though you may win this battle, I will win the war because of the Lord.' HALLELUJAH THAT JESUS PAID IT ALL!

What Did You See?

Proverbs 22:9

 

9He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

 

Has God ever showed you a person's need? What did you see? Did you meet the need? Or did you pretend not to see and ignore it? God is Jehovah Roi, the God who sees. God misses absolutely nothing. Even when you think no one knows, God does. The one in need may be a stranger on the street or it can be someone you know. Everyone who is down, God will bring up in His time. And those who are up, God will bring low in His time. When God allows you to see a need, it is for a reason. When God blesses you, it is not just for you. Maybe He wants you to house someone. Maybe He wants you to give someone a ride. Maybe He wants you to pray for or with someone. Maybe He wants you to buy that elderly woman some groceries because she can't get to the store. Maybe He wants you to buy a hot meal for one who is homeless. Maybe He wants you to just give an encouraging word to someone who needs to hear it. Maybe He wants you to work with a child. Whatever the need is that God shows to you, He wants to see if you will do it. He will bless you in His time for fulfilling the needs of those HE sends your way. Matthew 25:40 shows how Jesus will judge the way you treated those in need that He sent to you. It says, "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' God sees and remembers the times you had the heart to bless someone else because it is the same as blessing Him.

 

Remember Me

Psalm 106:4

 

Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh visit me with Your salvation.

 

The psalm is titled Joy in Forgiveness of Israel's Sins. The psalm celebrates God's faithfulness though God's people were not and are not faithful. "Remember Me" was the request of one of the thieves who hung next to Jesus. In Psalm 8 the word says, "What is man that you are mindful of him." I am grateful today that God is mindful even when you and I are unfaithful. God remembers you and I even when He is forgotten. Truly He is worthy of praise! I am grateful today because I know plenty by name who did not make it out of their teens and twenties, those who did not make it to the end of their thirties. But God! Even though the doctors estimated six years ago I would not make it the next few days, months or year, God saw fit to remember me. He didn't have to. God could've stopped the clock there. But I bless God today as I enter my last year in my thirties. GLORY TO YOUR NAME OH GREAT JEHOVAH!! Many are ashamed of their age, but it is a blessing to see many years. Do not complain.

A Touch of Love

Mark 1:32

 

32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.

 

 

Jesus often visited the sick and those cast out by society to give them a healing touch. He went to those who were on the outskirts of the city because their diseased bodies were not to be looked upon. Jesus didn't always have to touch them to heal them but could also speak a word which would heal. Jesus, the epitome of compassion went among the sick and shut out, church now calls them shut in. Jesus is the role model of what service to others is to look like.

 

In the early 1990s, the state of Maryland instituted new requirements for high school graduation. These new requirements demanded a certain number of hours of community service. My eleventh grade history teacher was in charge of the community service efforts. He took a group of us to a nearby nursing home. Once the community service was complete, many of the students did not continue on at the nursing home. I continued even through the change of management and up into my sophomore year of college before taking on a part-time job in addition to the full course load. I met a woman there who was 95 years old and blind. She was feisty at first and I didn't think she liked me but actually, she was a sweet woman. I was so amazed at how well she got around without the ability to see. For the first time, I began to appreciate my own eye sight and wearing glasses. A friend or two would visit her once in while and her son. I also spent time with a much younger woman. She was in her 40s. Her multiple sclerosis had escalated after the beatings from her ex-husband and she was wheelchair bound. She had family that came to see her regularly and brought her things. She loved to talk but she also loved to have her hair brushed. So I would often brush her long flowing blond hair as it was soothing for her. I saw many others weekly. For some, I was the only visitor they had. It broke my heart that their families forgot about them once they were shoved into a little corner of the world. Do you have family in a nursing home facility? When was the last time you called them to let them know you were thinking of them? You would be surprised how comforting it is for them to know someone is thinking of them. Some heal quickly that way. A touch of love, in any form helps those who feel left out.

 

Real service is not about meeting some quota or requirement, not about notches to make your organization look more legit than others, nor about disguising for government dollars. Real service, no matter what form, at its core is about love. The same love Jesus displayed as He walked among the sick and shut out. A smiling face and genuine heart has the ability to heal another heart more than you could ever imagine.

Honey Rather Than Vinegar

Proverbs 12:18

 

18There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.

 

Many of us heard the term, "think before your speak" while growing up. If you know children, then you know they are brutally honest, holding nothing back. It is often called "no filter" in today's society. They may even repeat back to you something you said that you know you shouldn't have said, especially in their presence. Those words could've been hurtful to someone else but did you think before you said anything? Words can hurt. The apostle James talks about taming the tongue in James 3. He said we bless God with it and curse men. Proverbs 18:21 says the power of life and death lie in the tongue. Did you know you can break a person's spirit with your tongue? A lot of pain can be caused by it. Words come out of the mouth that cannot be taken back once uttered. They can be piercing as the Word says. What does it mean to pierce? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary describes it as 1) to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully: stab 2) to make a hole in or through: perforate 3) penetrate 4) to see through: discern. So your words can pierce so sharply they cause pain. But one who is wise speaks to promote health. It does not mean the truth has to be hidden when speaking. It means thought is given and God is consulted so that words, though truthful, go down like honey rather than vinegar. Honey is sweet and can be consumed. Vinegar alone is bitter to taste. The Word says that God's Word is like a two-edged sword. His Word can be used to correct. But you may never know how much you hurt a person with your words. God knows. And He is the one who has to mend the broken spirit.