Does this belong to you?
"If your name is not on it, don’t pick it up."
That is a sign that hangs beside my bed. It reminds me not to "pick things up" that don’t belong to me, not to take on other people’s concerns. It prevents me from attempting to solve your problems. It keeps me from giving unsolicited advice and offering my opinion to those whom could care less.
I wouldn’t walk into your house and go through your closets and tell you how to arrange your closets, why do I think I can do this with your life?
The reality is when I am butting-in and offering unsolicited advice, I am trying to save people from what I think are their problems. It really isn’t about helping them; it is about making myself feel okay.
I get infuriated when someone attempts to run my life. How 'bout you? Ever had someone say, "I was just trying to help"? Obviosuly I don't turn my back on people in need... I just don't try to fix things that don't belong to me. It is a fine line.
What are you picking-up that doesn’t have your name on it?
What are you holding in your hands that doesn't have your name on it or that God would like to hold if you would only let go?
I find that when I only pick-up what has my name on it that I have a lot more inner peace. I have enough problems without attempting to solve everyone else’s—especially when I am not asked.
There is a God and I am not it. Whomever I am concerned about I can try to remember that God holds him/her in the palm of his hand just like God holds me in the palm of his hand.
I believe everyone is on a journey to and with God. I don't need to get in the way of what God is doing by "picking-up something that does not have my name on it".
8 Comments:
Excellent post, Rick.
Good advice, I surely wouldn't want to pick up stuff that doesn't bear my name.
What a great word picture Rick! I love the analogy of sorting through others closets where it is personal stuff. As I re read this I think who am I to play God and take your things when He is very capable. Boy it is part of those unforced rhythms of grace that I need to look at.
Thanks for the insight.
Luke 10:
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins[ and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Wise words Rick. We are to travel with those God puts in our lives, but we are not to take responsibility for them. I always wondered why the samaritian left the wounded man at the inn, instead of staying and making sure he recovered. I guess he knew to what extent the man had his name on him. I guess, really, that could be a story of appropriate responsibility. As is the word picture of your rock. This fits in what what I have been thinking much on lately. Thanks.
I have a great friend who says, "It's okay to mow your yard, but it's not okay to mow your neighbor's yard."
Sometimes though, people ask you to mow your yard, and then they don't like the way you did it.
Thanks for all your comments. And thanks to the person who quoted the bible. I do think the messages are totally different. There is a difference between showing mercy, especially to the outsider and attempting to FIX everyone's world.
Thanks again for sharing!
Rick
I hate unsolicited advice but one way to get rid of it is to humble myself and ask for advice.
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