Wandering Mind, Steady Heart

It's hard to explain some things, such that they make sense to someone else. For example, I run Linux on my laptop. I run it without a graphical interface, just a black screen with colored text. It's a sanity move, allowing me to stay focused on the words, the information, and ignore all the graphical doo-dads which can be so distracting. While it means cutting myself off from some of the common computer user's experience, particularly on the Internet, I feel certain this is what God wants for me. So far, it has been working rather nicely. All my work is done pretty much in plain text, though I can still write simple HTML. However, I can't see what you see most of the time. The point is not so much that I would recommend this for everyone, but it works for me, enhancing my Kingdom service.

Over the last few weeks I was exploring ways to offer the message I have been given. I wore t-shirts, I carried signs, hung out downtown, and so forth. Over the past few days, I have been praying long and often over what I experienced. The t-shirts continue to be a good idea. If I ever get a friend capable of silk-screening them with better lettering, I'll be quick to hand off that task. My own work is legible, for the most part, but it could surely be better. Unfortunately, I haven't touched a silkscreen frame since 1973, and just don't remember much about it. As it is, I can't afford that sort of stuff.

There are plenty of things I can't afford right now. Sure, God could change that, and in the past I have been driven to pray for miracles of all kinds. I'm not called to pray for that right now. The Spirit moves me to take what I have and use it to fullest capability. That means I can't engage in food distribution on any scale beyond helping individuals here and there. Making that 40 mile bicycle ride for a few hours of hanging out Downtown is also not on the agenda. I have no doubt the time will come I will be in that atmosphere on a regular basis, but it's not right now. And while any of this could change overnight, I still have to occupy the time with Kingdom service of some sort. I can't sit back and do nothing; faith won't allow it.

So along with the t-shirts, I'm going to do the one thing I know I can: work. Some years ago, while stationed with the US Army in the Netherlands, I was quite active in the NATO Chapel at AFCENT HQ. One of the activities was collecting donations for a mission support ministry called in the local Dutch Stichting Hand -- Hands to Serve. Of all the things I wish I had more time for in Europe, it was all outweighed in the Spirit by the longing I had for working with Steve and Sandy. It was not on God's agenda for me, but my heart yearned for what they were doing. So today, I'm playing at being a pair of hands to serve the needs of those around me. My next t-shirt lettering job will include the ideas of "helping hands" and "love your neighbor."

Our offering today was a few hours helping a fellow clear out his mother's apartment. Her medical needs require full-time nursing care, and she was moved from her senior living apartment to a place offering more active care. There was many decades' worth of momentos this fellow had to sift, and it took quite a bit of work getting the furniture and appliances onto a trailer so he could move it to storage until he had a better idea what he needed to do with it. He, my wife, my mother-in-law and I gathered this afternoon at the apartment and got it all done in a few hours. He also asked me to consider leading in a grave-side service if she dies any time soon.

This is Kingdom service. This is loving your neighbor as yourself. No money changed hands, because the objective was to walk in the love of Christ. Should the man eventually offer something, it will be used the same way as all our spare cash, supporting the work we do. We would hardly think less of the man if he offered nothing but the words of thanks he's already poured out on us. That's enough. God gets the glory and we are free from such human concerns. I've never been comfortable charging for anything, nor even asking for an offering. I've also never suffered want.

For now, it's just the hands to serve until the next step becomes obvious. God alone knows what that will be, and when it will be. We are content to wait His providence.