Do you ever feel like you have nothing to offer? That you're not rich, smart, or influential enough to make a difference? This article will show you that you can be the one who lifts the other out of hopelessness. From a Bible story and a real perspective on life, you will learn why your time, presence and willingness are more than money. And most importantly, change often begins in the ordinary way: with prayer and a look in the eye.
“I have no silver or gold, but what I have, I'll give you. “
This isn't just a nice sentence from the Bible. This is the sentence that lifted a man out of the dust. And maybe just your heart waiting for someone to tell you too. Or until her you say to someone else.
You may be thinking, “What do I have? I don't have a pile of money or influence. And yet you can be the one who changes the atmosphere around each other. And maybe even to someone will save a life.
The story of a man everyone saw, but no one noticed
The Bible in the book of Acts describes one man. Lame from birth. For over 40 years, he couldn't walk, he couldn't work, he didn't have any “legs of his own” to lean on. Every day someone brought him to the temple gate — and there he sat, with his arm outstretched and his eyes fixed on the ground.
Imagine that. Same routine every day. Hundreds of people walk past you every day. No one is going to stop. You are unseen. Your world has shrunk to the cobblestone beneath you and a few change in a bowl. A life without dignity.
And then two men come. Peter and John, and instead of tossing a coin, stops. They look him in the eye. And they say something completely different from what he expected:
“Look at us. “
A look that returns dignity
Have you ever noticed how we avoid eye contact too much with strangers? On the train, in public transport, on the street... We look after ourselves because we know that a look in the eye is a commitment. It hits us. We have to respond.
Peter and John looked at the man looked differently than others. Not like a beggar. Not as a liability. But as on a human.
And thus to him They returned something they lost a long time ago — intrinsic value.
They raised his head. Literally and figuratively.
And then it came: “I have neither silver nor gold...”
...“But what I have, I'll give it to you. “
This is a sentence that changes lives. Not because it's miraculous. But because it comes out of awareness of one's own worth and God's mission.
Peter knows he doesn't have much on his own. But he knows Who is in Christ. He knows what God has entrusted to him. And he knows that even though he has no money, He has a gift -- and he has the courage to use it.
How many of us would behave the other way around?
“Sorry, I don't have time. “
“I don't want to interfere. “
“If I had more, I would help...”
But Peter doesn't address it. He simply says:”I don't have everything. But I've got something. And I'll give you that.“
The power of prayer that opens doors
Interestingly, Peter and John they didn't plan to do any miracles. They just went to prayer. It was actually a perfectly ordinary part of their day.
And right there, in the middle of the routine, something extraordinary is taking place.
Throughout Jesus' life, we see that Prayer was what opened new beginnings.:
- at baptism the heavens were opened,
- when the disciples were chosen, communion was opened,
- In Gethsemane the heart of Jesus was opened.
Prayer is not weakness. It's the network that holds you when the world shakes around.
And it was thanks to this spiritual routine that Peter and John were ready — and receptive.
{{newsletter}}
What can you give?
Do you ever think you have nothing to offer?
Try it differently.
- You've got time? Donate it.
- You've got attentiveness? Listen without a cell phone in your hand.
- You've got experience? Share it.
- You've got Faith, even if it is small? Pray.
- You've got hunger for change? Look for her with others.
What you have is exactly what God can use.
And maybe just what you have, someone else desperately needs.
From outsider to family
The lame man after meeting Peter stood up and walked.
But that wasn't the biggest thing.
The biggest thing was that he was no longer alone. He no longer sat aside. He was no longer just a passive spectator.
He belonged somewhere.
And that might be something you're craving too. Don't just get up from the pain. But to be a part of something bigger. Something that gives you meaning, direction and home.
What about you?
Raise your head. Take a look around. Maybe there's someone around you waiting for your the look returns dignity.
And maybe it's you who's waiting for someone pulls out of the dust.
Whichever side you're on, one thing applies:
What you got, you can give it. And what you don't have, God can give.
So get started. In one sentence. At a glance. One prayer.
And you'll see things start to happen.
