Growing Pains (James 4:17)

I have been blessed to witness my company grow from 1 employee to 6 employees over the past few years. But somewhere along the way, the typical growing pains experienced by any family has emerged. One particularly touchy point is the replenishing of supplies in the shared bathroom. Toilet paper is used at the rate of about one roll per day. Thus, it is inevitable that the roll holder will be empty and should be refilled. But more often than not, the holder is holding an empty toilet paper roll. Of course, it should have been replaced by the last person who used it. But when this issue was brought before all the employees, everyone denied culpability! Since we have had no new employees during this time, it undoubtedly must have been the postal worker or a courier visiting our office!

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17

I am reminded of the Apostle James’ warning to believers. Although written in a different time and to a different audience, the truth of God rings through even to this day. True, there are far more egregious sins that one may commit than neglecting to refill the toilet roll holder.  But when such an obvious task is placed in front of you and you do not act, it does call into question the motives of our heart. What kind of excuses go through our mind?

“Oh, someone else will do it!”
“I’m in a hurry, leave it for the next person.”
“Others use this more than me, let them do it!”

And what happens when we are confronted with the larger issues in life? The wheelchair bound woman seeking assistance to board a plane; the lost child in the shopping center crying for her parents; the frantic woman who drops her bag, spilling the contents? We can chose to look away but at what point do we stop and do the right thing?

Our Lord Jesus Christ attended to the needs of many when He was on this earth. But now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, He has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Jesus works through us to be His ambassadors of service and love to all on this earth.

All of us know what is the right thing to do. It may not be the same for every person but God calls us to action to serve others. Pray to God to give you the sensitivity to see where you may serve Him.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.