Every time I’d go for my dental cleaning, my dentist would remind me “floss everyday, it’ll keep your teeth healthy,” and I would blindly follow her direction (well at least most of the time). Even when I do not fully understand how just brushing them cannot accomplish that alone, it never occurred to me that I should question her expertise in the field. I just do what she says and I don’t think I’m alone. Why don’t we apply that same concept when it comes to a verse that just doesn’t make sense to us?

Sometimes, I just don’t understand how he works, but I know from personal experiences that it isn’t any less important than how his words transformed how I used to view the world around me. I implored him repeatedly to make my wish come true as I wait forever. The moment my prayer stays unanswered, I start questioning “how can a good father refuse to do what’s good for his child?” At least I thought I knew what’s good for me.

He finally answers, but instead, he confuses me more by asking me to help that person out. “How would I do that when I already have my plate full?” That’s what we always ask ourselves. Until I remember those kids I saw on TV last night who are currently sleeping in a shelter and that man who, from the surface, didn’t seem abnormal are fighting a far worst battle than I who, for some unforeseen circumstances, cannot get approved for that home loan.

But he is perfect and just. There has to be more to the story, I just have to listen and trust that he will deliver even when I feel like he’s put me on the ignored list. But a visit to that shelter has changed my whole perspective, even worst when that man shared with me that he was battling with cancer and he’s about to undergo his fourth brain surgery. What I didn’t know is how what I’d say next, a simple word of encouragement would bring life to him. At that moment, I realize that God might have been busy trying to get a message to them through me, so busy trying to get me to help them so he can help me, yet I couldn’t be a blessing to them. Filled with emotions, I ask that he meets their needs first because their burdens were far heavier, I pray that he lifts them up because their challenges were far greater than mine. Sometimes our need is to be met in fulfilling someone else’s need, in showing considerations for others. Have I not being concerned about my own interests, perhaps my prayer could have easily been answered a long time ago.

Romans 15:1 “…We must not just please ourselves.”