God's Will Is Not LostNäide

The lawyer who attempted to test Jesus would have been an expert of the Old Testament law. Jesus' affirmed his summarized answer of the law as "Love God and love others."

By this summary, Jesus made the law much easier to remember, but much harder to live. Jesus raised the standard of the law from just the law to the law with love.

The lawyer realized this and asked a clarifying question: Who is my neighbor?

Jesus replies with a story about a Jewish man who was robbed and beaten, left half dead on the side of the road.

A priest and a group of Levites (both being faith heroes for Jews) crossed to the other side of the road instead of stopping to help. They probably had somewhere "important" to be -- but at that moment, they chose to be too busy with their own work (even though it was "good/church" work) to do God's work.

But then, a Samaritan comes by. It's important to remember that the Jews and the Samaritans were enemies. The Samaritan had compassion and stopped, met his needs, cared for him beyond what was required, even when it cost him personally, and proved himself to be a better neighbor than the man's Jewish brothers.

When it comes to God's will, we must remember the summary of the law: "Love God and love others." Simply put, this means God's assignments will often come in people-form, not just in projects.

Maybe you've wondered if God has given you a personal assignment. Look at the people in your life. What roles and influence has He given you? Who are the people God has called you to?

The easiest place to begin is your family. For example, I am a wife and a mom. These roles are lifetime assignments from God, and they are also exclusive assignments He has graciously given to no one else but me. From there, think about the people God has put around you that you can love so they see God's love.

Let's not get so caught up in what we can build for God's Kingdom that we miss out on who we can build for His Kingdom.

God, forgive me for looking for a project and overlooking people. Give me Your eyes to see people as You see them. I want to show others Your love, and I want to build others for the Kingdom. Use me, Lord. Amen.