What Should I Do

Have you ever been in a quandary as to what to do next?  You felt like doing a certain thing, yet a prolonged struggle developed to do nothing.  I am not talking about being tempted to sin, because of bad behavioral issues with the flesh conflicting with God’s Spirit saying, “No.”  On the contrary, it is an inward clash of opposing wishes to do something for someone vs. not doing anything at all, because of embarrassment or fear.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian, God was teaching me how to hear His voice and respond to what He was saying.  It was not an audible voice; it was a strong feeling inside me, an out of the norm kind of feeling, to do something outside my comfort zone. 

I was sitting in church one Sunday evening and saw a person to my right and down a couple of pews, sobbing, with his head bowed low.  It was like the whole world was on his shoulders.  Empathy like I had never felt before welled up inside me and I wanted to go sit next to the man and offer some words of encouragement or pray for him.

I wrestled with the notion, thinking it was only my sensitive side reacting and not God speaking.  The longer I sat there the stronger the feeling to offer some kind of assistance caused my heart to pound hard in my chest.  But what would I say?  What would people think?  How would the person receive me?  Would it embarrass him?  All these questions and more filled my mind.

The moment I allowed apprehension to win and I decided not to respond to the call of God; another Believer arose, went over to the man, and began to minister God’s comforting words.  That hurting soul gave his heart to the Lord that evening and received Jesus as his Savior, because someone listened to God and obeyed His voice.

I missed out on a tremendous opportunity to introduce that man to the Prince of Peace, Jesus.  I was extremely happy for him, but felt miserable inside, because I failed to act upon the call.  God was giving me a chance to not only help someone in their time of need, it would have strengthened my relationship with Him.  My faith and spiritual awareness of the power of God working in me would have been greatly fortified had I yielded to what I was feeling.

It was a lesson that I have never forgotten.  I learned that when God wants something done, He uses willing souls to accomplish His work of grace.  Those that balk when invited to do His bidding will certainly have regrets later. 

When God-given emotions move within us to be His voice and we suppress it for whatever reason, and God chooses someone else to do the work, tears of regret will not bring back missed opportunities.  God’s program will continue with or without us.  But we can learn by our mistakes and do better the next time the Lord calls us to stand in the gap where we are needed—and He will.

It was a valuable lesson early on in my Christian walk.  I try to listen for His voice and act accordingly whenever He speaks.  I learned that most people respond in positive ways when kindness is expressed to them.  Few individuals reject a smile, words of encouragement, or someone taking the time to listen to their woes.

No doubt, there are those that will decline and rebuff an outstretched hand or kind words.  It has happened to me on occasion.  I had to realize it was their choice; I did my part in reaching out.  I believe that God will continue to strive with them through the efforts of other Christians and circumstances that will bring that soul to Christ. 

I have learned that when I look for opportunities to be God’s hand extended to hurting, oppressed people, or to someone that just needs recognition of some kind, God places me exactly where I can do the most good.  When I share about God’s goodness, I walk away encouraged in my spirit, because it is more blessed to give than to receive.  Try it, you will find it to be true.  You will feel the joy of giving.

(Proverbs 25:11), “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

A word of thanks or a token of appreciation given by slipping a few dollars to a cook at a fast foods restaurant, dishwasher, or the one cleaning tables and sweeping floors, always brings a smile to their face.  You acknowledged, with gratitude, their hard work.  Just showing others that you recognize their efforts is God’s voice and His hands extended.  A cup of cold water, as it were.

God sent His Son to show love, while ministering to people’s needs.  He died on a cross for the sins of mankind, because of love.  It is up to every Believer to spread this good news to those that are bound by sin; to tell them that they can be set free from bondage through Jesus Christ the Lord.

The responsibility associated with the gathering of lost souls, pointing them to Jesus, is a task that brings great rewards.  This process may come in stages before a person gives their heart to God.  It is like sowing seeds in a field.  Certain workers till the ground in preparation for the seeds; others sow the seeds; and there are those that water the seeds.  Finally the reaping of the harvest takes place, while everyone that took part rejoices.

We should not become discouraged if someone rejects our efforts to share the plan of salvation.  It is God that gently brings the increase and draws non-Christians to Him.  He is patient and knows each person’s need and how to meet their need. 

God has everything in control, but He has commissioned Believers to reach out to those that do not know Him.  It takes godly people working together and doing their part, while leaving it up to God to do the rest—like workers in the field.

This past Sunday morning I met a gentleman and his wife that were sitting in front of me before church service began.  Toward the last of the service, that same familiar voice began speaking to my heart.  I sensed that I needed to give the man one of my business-sized cards that has my blog website and other information on it.

Again, the conflict in my mind ensued—what should I do?  I knew if he visited my website he would be encouraged with God’s Word and my writings of hope.  I felt he needed something from the Lord.

At the end of the service I told him how nice it was to meet him and handed him the card, saying, “I want you to go to my blog and read it.”  He thanked me and said that he would.  Whether he does or doesn’t is up to him.  I did my part.

When we question, “What should I do,” it is better to be right in the eyes of God than to sit back and allow someone else to take part in the process of soul winning or being God’s hand outstretched.

(James 4:17), “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

No doubt there was a reason I gave him the card.  I just feel good that I did what I felt was needed at the time, whether the reason is ever revealed to me or not.  It is our reasonable service to be used of God.

(Romans 12:1), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

God will never ask us to do something that we are unable to do or that He has not prepared us for.  He will go before us and fight the battles.  We need not fear.

(Philippians 4:13), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Written by,

Papa Boyd