The Unsuspecting Beggar
Main Course: ... as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue ... (2 Pet. 1:3; cf. Eph. 1:3)
About 2 or 3 days ago maybe even a week or so ago, I was observing a person at the traffic light begging for money. I thought to myself, now why are you out here begging when you have your health and strength: 2 eyes, 2 legs, ears, arms and hands – practically a well-able body. Why would you be out here on the street begging like those who have a handicap, physically handicap and cannot truly do for themselves?
As I pondered the reason of a well-abled bodied person on the corner begging, a sudden thought took voice and said, “Carolyn that’s how you look.” My immediate response: What?!? Come again?!? Before I could deny it, I saw myself…. as a child of God I have everything and access to everything. Jesus is our salvation, Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit in us, the promise of God’s Himself, His Word, and His protecting angels and yet we beg. We are beggars. We are in lack and without. Living day to day, some even hand-to-mouth because we won’t use what we have: our hands, mouths, arms, legs, -- praise, worship, meditating the Word, confession of faith, etc. UNTIL we are transformed (like Jesus).
Slightly before this light of truth appeared in my heart, I said, “Lord, they have everything they need, what’s keeping them living like a beggar – a person who does not?” And the answer came to me: “Carolyn, you can have all of your faculties functioning and live in a well-abled body, but if your mind is not right, functioning properly, then it’s just like you are …. handicap, physically handicap.” So you see, it doesn’t matter if you have the Word, my instructions, go to church, well intentions, etc. If you don’t make the adjustment in your mind (for your heart to see greater things), you’ll always live like a pauper, begging for a job, a break, living life on the edge of a cliff, never knowing when the next wind will be the end.”
I saw myself. I was embarrassed, naked and ashamed to know I live like a beggar when I should be the banker, lender and not the borrower. But the unrenewed mind keeps you at beggar status. Now every time I see a beggar on the streets, especially with his health and strength, I see myself and it reflects my state of mind.
I am strong in the Lord and courageous. I am not afraid; I will not be discouraged because God is with me wherever I go because he orders my steps. He has already given me everything that pertains to life and godliness according to His divine nature in me. So I will set my face like flint, a stone wall because I know I will not be put to shame – God is faithful.
(Holy Spirit continues to deal with me on this matter) Jesus says to me, “Carolyn, let me show you what a renewed mind looks like and can do --- the impossible. Turn to Joshua. His name means salvation. This is part of your salvation and is all a part of the PLAN of salvation for your life.”
*Begging is the practice of imploring others to grant a favor, often a gift of money, with little or no expectation of reciprocation. A person doing such is called a beggar or panhandler. Beggars may be found in public places such as transport routes, urban parks, and markets. Wikipedia
