A Modern Day Plank in the Eye

This is going to be one of those posts which goes into the slightly crazy realm.
But when you think about it, the idea of having a plank in your eye is a bit crazy to start off with, so it looks like I’m in good company. 🙂

The intention of this is to bless and not to cause offense.
The plank in the eye picture, told by Jesus, (Matthew 7: 3-5) was basically saying, you fool, just look at what you are doing.
This post goes along the same lines.

When I look back at my own actions I can see that I have, at times, taken on the place of the fool. This is because I have been one of those well intentioned idiots (That the church can sometimes be so full of 🙂 ).
Being well intentioned is great, now if we can only add some wisdom to the mix, then we could have a church filled with well intentioned wise people.
What a thought that is. I pray that Father will speak to you through this.

A man was walking through a park, having a good day. The sun was shining and all seemed well.

As he walked around the corner he came across another man who was lying on the floor.

This man was in a bad way though.
He had clearly been attacked and was in need of urgent help.

The first man on seeing this, thought to himself, I must help this man who is so clearly in need.

So he went to the man in need and asked him, “Sir, please tell me, what can I do to help you?”

The man in need just wanted to be left alone, so he just tried to ignore him.

But the first man would have none of it.
So he shook the man in need and insisted, “Sir, I can clearly see that you are in need, so you must tell me, what can I do to help you.”

The man in need still just wanted to be left alone, but instead said, “Well, I am a bit thirsty. If you could get me a drink of tea, then that could be nice. I have some money in my pocket and there is a tea shop just around the corner.”

This made the first man very happy. He took the money and he went off and bought the tea and gave it to the man in need.

The man in need thanked the first man and sent him on his way, relieved that he was finally leaving him alone.

The first man walked away happy, feeling good about himself.
He thought, that man was in need. I asked him what he wanted and he told me, and then I went and got it for him. I was a help to that man.

How silly of that first man.
He didn’t help the man in need.
An ambulance was clearly needed for the man in need, not a cup of tea.

In our churches, can we be like the first man?

Can we see people who are in need, but not know what is needed to help them.
Can we then go up go these people and metaphorically shake them and ask, “What can I do to help you?”

What the first man should have done is call for help by calling for an ambulance.
Shouldn’t we be metaphorically calling for an ambulance?
Shouldn’t we be putting a call into Father to ask for guidance and help instead of asking the hurt one, what can I do to help you.

Sometimes, the hurt one might be able to say, “Are you crazy, call for an ambulance.” But sometimes the hurt one might just want to be left alone, even though it is doing them no good.

I once shared this picture with a friend, although it was probably in a more garbled fashion.
The response I got was that I was asking for the impossible and expecting people to be able to read minds.
In the human realm this could be a valid point. After all, how is anyone meant to know what is going on unless they are told.
But I am not looking for human strength.
No, I am looking for what is possible with Father invited to the party.

I’m not looking for the impossible but for the Him Possible.
The Him being Our Lord God Almighty.

If we can bring Father into the mix, then the impossible does indeed become Him Possible!

Father is our ultimate help line.
Father is the one we need to be connecting with in order to obtain the answers for what is needed.

Can we seek Father and his will, in order to be a true blessing to those who are in need?

Father,
Please help us to look to You in all things.
Sometimes we can see where something is wrong and help is needed but we don’t have the answers for what is needed.
In them times, then please help us to look to You that much more.
Help us to bring relief to situations instead of just shaking things up.
You are the One who can lead and guide us so please help us to be quick to look to You, and to follow Your lead.
Thank you that You are there to help us.
Amen.