The following blog was moved from www.myspace.com/jaysellers on May 14, 2007.
Just after breakfast this morning I read this story about an elderly woman in South Florida that spent the past 15 years since Hurricane Andrew without electricity. This story caused me to weep uncontrollably for about 10 minutes. If you have a few minutes, I’d like to tell you why…
From a superficial standpoint, it would never be possible for most people reading this on a computer to imagine living 24 hours without electricity. Our lives would crumble under the disconnect. However, 1.6 BILLION people live without electricity right now. I can only (uncomfortably) imagine what life would look like without the basic convenience of power. It reminds me of the stories I use to hear from my grandparents about growing up in the Georgia farmland…
This December will mark the 10 year point since my grandfather went home to be with the Lord. My grandmother has been gone about half that time. I love and miss them more and more the older I get. I wish that I had grown up quicker and been able to appreciate more what their influence in my life has meant, and still means in many regards. I’m amazed when I think back to all the ways that I disrepected and failed to appreciate them while they were around and how much I yearn to honor their legacy with my life now. They were both people of immense character, love, and generosity and lived their lives in service to so many people that tell me even today that they miss them too. Melton and Ann made everyone that came in contact with them a part of their family, and none of their family would have lived without electricity if they had anything to do with it. I’m sure of that.
Brooke and I want so much to have children, and I hope that I can learn to be a good father by looking at the example that I got from my grandfather. I also hope that my wife will leave a legacy of unconditional love like my grandmother.
As a follower of Christ, I’m baffled that this lady Norena could live the way she did without being “found out” by people of faith. I’m not sure that the gospel message entails us bringing electricity to the masses, but I am sure that we are meant to be a light in the darkness. I would hope that we are not overlooking people like Norena that would rather keep quiet than risk bothering someone with their need and being “embarrassed by the situation.”
I live in community with many sincere people of God, some of whom have what I’ll call an authentic supernatural gifting in either prophecy or what’s called a “word of knowledge,” meaning something that you couldn’t know about because the info is private to a person or situation. It has been my experience that this type of gift comes with a proximity limitation, meaning Joe is standing near Jane and then “gets something” about Jane. I have walked the streets in Venezuela and felt the guiding of the Spirit to pray over the needs of someone in a house even though I couldn’t see them or know their needs. I haven’t done the same thing in my own home town, but I should. Maybe this gifting is only limited by our sphere of influence, our enthusiasm or even our willingness to make a change.
At the risk of sounding hokey to the uninitiated, image what impact people of faith would have on those around us if we took to the streets to meet physical needs, like providing power to the elderly, without any agenda other than loving on people in the name of Jesus.
I’m not talking about this being a church ministry. I’m talking about this being a personal mission. I believe that when people see these good deeds done without reason, agenda or even explanation, the recipient is then compelled to find the root of your love. Then you become the only reason they need to find new life in Jesus.
If I were the only contact people had with Jesus, the Kingdom would see few converts. On my worst days, I’m ridiculously blessed beyond measure with more than I need to live comfortably. I don’t know real hunger. I don’t know real need. I can be so selfish and spoiled. I don’t know my neighbors names or their needs. Is it pride that keeps me from telling my friend that has two extra cars that I need one? I’m guilty of not always “smokin’ what I’m sellin’.”
By the way, my dad passed away when he was 27. I was 5. I’m 30 now. I can’t imagine leaving the earth now. Strange. I try my best to keep my house in order, because man knows not his time. Please let me know if you think I’ve been unkind to you and let’s work things out before it’s too late. If you know of a need that I can help meet, please bring that to my attention as well.
May you not pass by that house or person that gives you that creepy, uneasy, discomforting feeling without getting a little nosey and finding out if, just maybe, God is nudging you to be a light to someone in need. May you recognize that you have all you need to live. May you also recognize that it’s cold outside and you have two jackets while your neighbor has none.
