Have you ever felt the overwhelming desire to be useful to Jesus by fulfilling your purpose and God given calling…
but at the same time felt that your place of privilege and lack of struggle in life disqualifies you from truly helping people?
I know I have!
I’ve never been what anyone would consider “rich” in North America but at the same time I’ve never had to go a day without food and there’s always been enough for anything I’ve needed…
which is all it takes to feel extremely privileged and disconnected from those who have had to struggle for the basics…
which then makes me feel fake and like I have no idea what I’m talking about when it comes to helping those in need (of any kind).
If you, for whatever reason feel disqualified because you have what others don’t…
whether that’s emotional strength or financial abundance…
then this is for you.
Here’s the main thought I want to get you to consider…
What if it’s more important to be able to relate to where someone is going rather than to where they’ve been or where they currently are?
Let me explain – If you are going to help someone leave sin, poverty, an unhealthy mindset, etc.
Sure, it might be helpful if you’ve been where they are because “you get it”…
but what’s more important is that you stand in the place that they want to go so you can help them get there…
you can fight for their freedom when they can’t because you can clearly see the path before their feet know it’s totally possible for them to walk it.
(Note: You can practice empathy in a healthy way so you can hear and be compassionate for where someone is at without having to walk in their shoes.)
If a person is stuck in sin and shame but wants to trust in Jesus and live free in Him – are you going to be able to help if you’re stuck in the same sin OR if you live free in Christ and can keep calling him or her to hope in Jesus and not settle until their fully alive in Him?
Personally, from my experience…
anyone who is stuck in the same thing I’m stuck in tends to say things that would just make me more stuck (which has happened several times and it is beyond discouraging and can be so hard to shake off).
Whereas on the other hand, someone who isn’t stuck in the mud with me (but either once was or they’re empathetic to my plight) is able to to see how possible it is to for me to get out and can keep on helping without both of us dragging each other down.
I know I’m going in circles a bit but I really want you to see that your place of privilege, whatever that may look like, doesn’t have to disqualify you from being incredibly useful to God…
instead it can set you up for being the perfect person to do the work He’s called you to do…
…which brings us to Moses.
In the last couple weeks we’ve been watching a Netflix documentary about the Exodus and at one point they pointed out that the meaning behind some words, mean that the Israelite slaves had “shortness of breath”…
which basically means they had no will to live, escape, or see beyond their current circumstances as slaves…
which also means that there’s no way they would be able to bring about their own deliverance because a crushed spirit is just that…
crushed.
On the other hand you have Moses, a Hebrew who was also a prince of Egypt and had “long breath”…
which means he could see a life for his people that reached far beyond slavery.
Moses didn’t live a life is slavery…
instead, His life of privilege played a huge role in Yahweh being able to use him free His people.
Overall, the point I’m trying to make is to say yes to God no matter your background and don’t be the one to decide what qualifies or disqualifies you…
That’s Jesus’ job to do.
The other angle I’ve been looking at this from and which I want to share with you is from the perspective of a Coach.
Since I became a coach a few years ago it’s been an interesting road of learning how to know where someone wants to go…
and help them get there without changing course due to the many fears and emotional triggers they go through along the way.
We, as human beings, have this weird habit of having a big picture goal we’re going after and then for whatever reason we try to get out of doing the things we need to do to actually get there.
There’s usually a deep belief or fear that keeps us stuck in old habits and though it’s not impossible to change, it does take time and a lot of compassion.
When we believe we can’t or shouldn’t do something but still want to do it…we get stuck in a weird middle ground of always trying but never succeeding.
The reason I’m saying all this is that I’ve had to learn (and anyone can…you don’t have to be a coach to do this) to help a person stick to taking the right action…
even though they’re internally freaked out and have waves of emotions that would pull them off track time and again.
If I was stuck in the same situation and fears as them then I would get just as emotionally triggered and be absolutely useless to help.
The fact that I’m not where the are but know they can get to where they’re going is exactly what enables me to help them.
As we wrap up…
This post has hopefully been a mindset shift because God doesn’t need you to have a certain kind of past, or extreme struggle in order to do incredible things through you…
that doesn’t mean your past doesn’t play a huge part in your calling because it does…
It just sometimes will come into play in surprising ways and your place of privilege, whatever that may look like, will likely be exactly what you needed so you could do your Kingdom work.
So please, don’t ever write yourself off…
instead, give all that you are to Jesus and let Him do His incredible work in and through you!!
Until next time,
Amy
One other random thought that I wanted to share but wasn’t sure where to tuck it so it’s a bit of a P.S….
If you have something that other’s don’t…
Like money, healthy boundaries, skill sets of any kind, a good and loving family, etc…
#1 – be grateful for it rather than feeling guilty over it. Guilt will get you stuck and keep you there but gratitude will help you open your hands to receive what God has given you as well as open your heart to be free to share without fear for the future as you learn to trust Him alone.
#2 – Ask the Lord to show you how to steward it well so you can bless Him and others with what He has lavished on you.
#3 – Remember that you always have a choice and boundaries are SO important – just because you have something to give doesn’t mean people can take whatever they want. I’s your choice to give, what you give, how much, and when (all part of being a good steward) and at no point should you give out of guilt. Focus on cultivating a heart that loves God so that when you give you can do it with wisdom and joy.
Praying for you my friend and may our good God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.