Hey Galatea,
No worries. I didn't see it as an attack at all, just a difference of opinions and conclusions. I do agree that we are to have the mind of Christ for others, BUT, I think it's also important to remember that we are NOT Christ.
If I have 5 loaves and 2 fishes in my pocket, try as I might, and as much as I might want to, I can't feed 5,000 people. If God blesses what I have, maybe I could feed 5 people--and it's up to me to ask for God's wisdom and discernment as to who those 5 people will be. Maybe it's going to be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
But knowing what I believe to be is my particular calling, my first choice would be to give it to those I saw working to serve the masses, and not the masses themselves.
I do understand what you mean about people grumbling as a cover for other problems. Shoot, they're at a soup kitchen and presumably homeless, I'm SURE they're probably having a bad day! But I think that's also an issue that people seldom talk about honestly in ministry. You have to use a lot of discernment and sometimes, you have to distance yourself from some people.
Jesus did not always make Himself available 24/7. Luke 5:16 says, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." He purposely got away from the crowds and made himself UNavailable, and I personally think we are to follow this example as well. But that's just my own conclusion.
Several years ago, I was part of a prayer ministry. It was my first time participating in something like that and I was very wide-eyed and wanted to help everyone. I ran into a couple of problems I had never even anticipated:
* A woman who was going through a situation I was familiar with in my own life. But she wouldn't make the decisions she needed to change. I gave her my phone number and told her to call anytime she needed to talk.
And call she did. Day, night, and every time in between, always talking about the same thing. She didn't want to have to make the hard decisions, she wanted to be told that God was going to work things out and make everything all right without her having to do anything, because, after all, "God works for the good of those who love Him."
I was totally overwhelmed and didn't know what to do. This woman would be calling at 2 AM, and I never said no. I always let her talk. I thought I was doing what God wanted me to do. Eventually an elder noticed that this woman had kind of latched on to me and intervened, and fortunately, this stopped most of the madness. I saw this woman 5 years later--and she was still in the exact same situation, and when I talked to her, she wanted to be told the exact same thing.
Sorry... But I believe God was telling me to move on to the next group of people He had waiting for me.
* Our group once prayed for a man about 10 years older than me. Great man of God, wonderful leader, married for a long time--I'd been in one of his Bible classes and really enjoyed it. But like any of us, he had some struggles in his life and asked for prayer, though he didn't say for what.
I can't explain why, but I had this very strong feeling that he was fighting an addiction to porn--it wasn't a judgment, just something I felt God put on my heart to pray over on his behalf without saying anything--and after our prayer for him, I just said, "You know, I think God wants you to know that whatever you're having problems with, He knows your heart is sincere."
Some time later, this man approached me while I was in the prayer group and asked if he could talk to me, and if I'd pray for him alone, because he said that what I'd said had greatly encouraged him.
I have no doubt that this was a great man of God and that he didn't intend any harm, but I am positive that God was saying to me, "NO." I told the man, "Thank you so much for telling me that--it's really encouraging to me, too. My prayer partner, 'Carol' (and I pulled her a little closer) and I would be happy to pray for you."
Do I think this man had any wrongdoing on his mind at the time? No. But I also believed that God was telling me, "Don't encourage or provide an atmosphere that might contribute towards his getting attached to you."
The experiences I had on this team were invaluable, and I learned, very clearly, that, for me, at least, I need to set very clear boundaries and hold to them, and if anyone tries to overstep them, I seek help from elders or higher authorities.
I know that you and others may feel differently, and I applaud you for wanting to help anyone that crosses your path at anytime, but I also appreciate the fact that I think you and I are also the kind of people who can agree to disagree in a peaceful way.
Much respect to you, Galatea. And thank you for all the hard work you pour into the the next generation.