Thinking of Others

So I was watching a TV show on Hulu.com, called "Secret Millionaire."  The show is about muli-millionaires volunteering to live in poverty for a week, with a friend or family member.  Through the experience they are supposed to meet people that they feel they can best help with their money.  They cannot reveal their identities, and must live on the amount a welfare check would provide.  They must contribute at least $100,000 to one person or several people, to help their cause or whatever the millionaire says the money is for (personal self-improvement, medical bills, construction project, etc.)

I watched the first two episodes, and was really moved by it.  It was annoying to see the ignorance of those with wealth, but at least they were open minded enough to participate.  How I wish I was in the position to be able to write a check for such a large amount to give to someone to improve their life.  But if that's the train of thought that I have, then I will probably not ever be in that position because it takes certain personalities to make millions.  I don't think everyone has the ability to, or God doesn't plan that everyone become a millionaire.  So that leaves, the question, if there is a passion to help the needy, how can you help now without 6 zeros following the balance in your bank account.

The answer to this would be to contribute time, and to always think of others.  Plan and think about what you're doing and if it's impacting others, specifically the needy in a positive way.  Does buying a video game (which I buy) help me? help others? or have no effect?  Granted I need to buy things for myself, but so long as I don't over indulge myself with needless things, and which money or time could be spent to better the lives of others.  So the plan is to always plan to give back to the community, to others.  How will you pursuing your career improve the lives of the less fortunate, will it be direct, or indirect, and if not directly, what can you do directly to affect the lives of other people.

This idea kind of ties into my dilemma today.  I was disappointed that I somehow lost my focus or concentration before my exam today, and made a few careless mistakes (I don't know exactly how many), but be disappointed or frustrated about a grade does not compare to what others are struggling with right now: finding a warm place to sleep, finding their next meal, or even keeping warm as the weather is getting cooler.

God is sovereign and He always has a plan.  So whatever my grade is, I can only push forward and continue to do my best and keep my eyes, heart, and mind open to God's will for my life.  God is sovereign and has a plan for those struggling as well.  He will test us with trials that we will be able to overcome with the grace, power, and mercy of His Lordship.  His plan is unchangeable, but there is a method to what we deem as madness.