Before Christmas last year I made a trip to the holy land. I saw many places from the Bible with my own eyes: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethsaida, Jericho, the Jordan river, the lake Genezareth, Mount Hermon and much more. It was very impressive. I booked daily tours to get to all the places. On those tours there were people from all over the world. When I visited Nazareth, I was talking to a guy from Zaragoza in Spain. When we walked up to the basilica of the annunciation, I saw in the corner of my eyes that there was a beggar sitting on the street. He even made a noise to make sure that we would notice him while we were walking by. From the corner of my eye he even looked a bit like Jesus. I tend to give beggars but at this very moment being in an interesting conversation with the person from Spain I was telling to myself – let me give him something on the way back. Well, on the way back the beggar was not there anymore. 

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

I afterwards realized, If I am once in a bad condition and asking God for support, I also want him to help me immediately, and not wait until it is convenient for him. I should have given to the beggar immediately. Therefore, I was beating myself up a little bit. I have all the blessings from God, I have money to travel all the way to Nazareth, see the places in the holy land and I would not give to a beggar that is sitting right there in the city where Jesus spent most of his life? 

Then I remembered God’s great mercy. I turned to him spiritually asking him for forgiveness and to strengthen my heart to remember this incident going forward when I cross a beggar. 

I felt better right away. God promises us that when we turn to him, he will heal. We should turn to him for everything, no matter what it is and how big it is. If you feel you are too sinful to turn to God, think twice. If you are physically hurt, would you not go to see a doctor as you are hurt too much? It makes even more sense to go, right? The same is with God. Jesus made it very clear during his time on earth that literally EVERYONE IS WELCOME. He will support you as long as you are genuine. If you have loaded a sin onto you he will help you when truly repent.  

If Adam and Eve after they heard from the snake that the apple tree would give them great wisdom and contrary to what God said, would be good to eat, they should have turned to God. They should have told him about it before eating. They could have asked God if what the snake said is the truth. If they still wanted to eat they would have at least made a more informed decision. Instead they just trusted an unknown creature more than the person that was lovingly providing for them. Make it better! Trust God and turn to him for everything that burdens your heart. He loves you and will provide for you!

If you are not sure how to turn to God: God is spirit. Think about him and what you want him to do for you, talk to him in your thoughts. You can also write to him if you think that is easier or verbally talk to him. Afterwards, be open and wait, an answer will come as a thought or an incident in your real life. God wants to be in contact with you. Tap into him and rejoice.

PS: Some say that they do not give to beggars as they might not be really poor or authentic. Please do not worry about this. We are not qualified to judge this. If they just beg for “fun” it is their responsibility and our responsibility is to be true to God and God commands us to give to the poor so that we will receive in return:

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 19:17