Is That Me Over There

When I see people less fortunate than me, I am cognizant of one thing, I must keep the right spirit regarding the temptation to feel prideful for the things I possess.  No-one should look down their nose at those that are struggling and less fortunate.  It is just wrong to judge others for their misfortunes or to think of oneself as better than those in need.

Everyone should take a moment to consider their own station in life and not think of themselves above those living on skid row or living in squalor on the streets of our communities—just be thankful it’s not ‘me over there’.  Shame on anyone that would entertain such negative thoughts.

If a hottie type person would just take the time to get off their high horse for a moment and evaluate how fragile their surrounding quality of life is, they would realize that their living condition is mere things, the amenities they enjoy that can disappear as fast as “quick and get ready.”

All of it could be lost due to ongoing health issues or losing their job because of another national health epidemic like Covid-19, or other such reasons.  Nothing is foolproof or a sure thing in this world except taxes and dying.

Experiencing an unforeseen loss in the stock market, investments taking a plunge southward, or a hundred other things can change overnight and eliminate one’s safe place.  Yes, the status of a person’s lifestyle can surely change.

Perhaps you can remember, or you have read about the world’s economic depression beginning in the United States, taking place in 1929 and lasted until 1939.  It was known as The Great Depression—it was devastating.

The ‘what if’s’ are out there and can certainly be a determining factor that can contribute to debt collectors knocking at the front door.  Things happen, causing people to live out of their cars or on the street.

The homeless are everywhere; only God knows the reasons why they are in the situation that has befallen them.  Drug addiction is also on the increase and becoming more prevalent everywhere you turn.  Because of the servitude that addicts are caught up in, there is an uncontrollable urge for another drug-induced high that supersedes their desire for a hot meal.  Sadly, they are slaves to their addictions.

There is an overpopulation of hurting people under freeway overpasses, including those living on sidewalks across our nation.  In some locations, degradation is in full display as the quality of life diminishes.  Never in my lifetime have I seen such poverty-stricken people, crime-ridden cities running rampant, and a blatant disrespect for authority figures, widespread.

Were it not for the Lord, there go I.  It’s hard to envision me under a freeway overpass or panhandling on some corner, but I could have been there had it not been for Jesus Christ and my acceptance of God’s grace.  God saved me out of the sinful lifestyle that was leading me down a darkened pathway that was full of regrets and having the question, “How did I get here?”

I was on the threshold of heading down a similar path as those seeking highs to alleviate heartache.  I stood at the line of demarcation of doing harmful things to my body to numb the pain of things that had me in a whirlpool of calamity and confusion.  I believe I was going down for the third time in a cesspool of filth, because of wrong choices.

I am sure that people who are searching for answers of how to someway escape their hurtful dilemmas are not limited to feelings of rejection and loneliness, they need Jesus, the Son of God.  

For me, God’s mercy exceeded the temporary pleasures that I was involved in.  It was a futile attempt at trying to satisfy the craving I had for lasting joy.  I couldn’t find it in the places I frequented.

God’s grace was freely given through Jesus’ death on a cross for my sins.  All I had to do was reach out and receive it—I’m glad I did.  The Lord established a new direction when He saved me.  No longer do I travel down the wide road to destruction.

Before my conversion to Christianity, I had been feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit saying, “I have a better way.”  When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, He opened my blinded eyes and gave me peace and joy.  I now stand, unmovable, on the solid rock, Jesus, rather than blindly remaining in the shifting, unstable environment that I was caught up in.

At the time I was most vulnerable to sin, lacking direction, Jesus became my stronghold in times of distress, thus preventing me from becoming totally engulfed by sin.  I’m glad I took refuge in the Lord.  In Him I live.

(Nahum 1:7), “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd