“Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” (Romans 12:1 MSG)
Over the last few weeks, Kerala, India, has been devastated by severe flooding. Over 800,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Although the Indian Navy is involved in the rescue operations, many of the rural rescues are being conducted by local fishermen. I read a report about a poor fisherman who goes out daily in his boat to help rescue those who are stranded in their homes. He said that some people welcome his help, while others reject it. Several homeowners are suspicious of his motives. They are afraid he might loot their homes after they leave. For weeks, he has not been making any income from fishing. His boat has some damage from floating over street debris. He knows he is putting himself at risk for disease from the contaminated flood waters. Despite all this, the fisherman keeps taking his boat out daily. He offers up his time, talent, equipment, dignity, income, comfort, and energy to do the right thing.
This fisherman is living out the teachings of Christ. How can we learn to do the same? Perhaps it would be best to start practicing before a crisis. Take an ordinary day, and place it at God’s disposal. Offer up the day as soon as you wake up. Instead of filling up your schedule with your agenda, wait for God’s directions. Embrace interruptions; they may be opportunities to serve. Accept any discomfort, loss, and inefficiency that comes up. Seek to be a part of whatever the Lord is doing today.
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