[The following is an excerpt from a novel by Scottish author George MacDonald, regarding the nature of one of his characters.]

In his inmost being he knew the mission of man is to help his neighbors.  But in as much as he was ready to help, he recoiled from meddling.  To meddle is to destroy the holy chance.  Meddlesomeness is the very opposite of helpfulness, for it consists of forcing yourself into another self, instead of opening yourself as a refuge to the other.  They are opposite extremes, and, like all extremes, touch.  It is not correct that extremes meet; they lean back to back.  To Polwarth [the character], a human self was a shrine to be approached with reverence, even when he bore deliverance in his hand.  Anywhere, everywhere, in the seventh heaven or the seventh hell, he could worship God with the outstretched arms of love, the bended knees of joyous adoration, but in helping his fellow, he not worshiped but served God — ministered, that is, to the wants of God — doing it unto Him in the least of His.  He knew that, as the Father, unresting, works for the well-being of men, so every son, following the Master-Son, must work also.  Through weakness and suffering he had learned it.  But he never doubted that his work as much as his bread would be given him, never rushed out wildly snatching at something to do for God, never helped a lazy man to break stones, never preached to foxes.  It was what the Father gave him to do that he cared to do, and that only.  It was the man next to him that he helped — the neighbor in need of the help he had.  He did not trouble himself greatly about the happiness of men, but when the time and opportunity arrived in which to aid the struggling birth of the eternal bliss, the whole strength of his being responded to the call.

I too have experienced difficulty at times of knowing when to insert myself into the concerns of others.  I want to help, feel like I can help, but probably end up not helping, or being thought ill of for my interference.  I also struggle with realizing when and how God wants me to act on something, or relate to someone.  I’m slowly learning — very slowly — to have patience in various situations and wait on the Lord to work his work until I get a clear clarification of my role.

I also am quick to overlook the blessings and opportunities he has given me almost every waking moment of my days.  True obedience consists of seeing that which is before you and responding with the action — or reaction — that would show you to be the child of God he wants you to be.  Animals can be observed behaving in a particular way for each event that penetrates their space.  We humans, on the other hand, bring emotions and second-guessing into our relationships.  We ponder, we mull and we play off of each other to encourage or discourage how we should respond.

I’m not saying that we should behave like the lower creatures; nor should we not look at the big picture or weigh decisions before jumping to conclusions.  We already have a firm foundation in the qualities that Christ taught and would have us possess in our being.  What is further required is that we apply those qualities to each struggle that comes into our lives in order to have true peace and joy.  We shouldn’t pick and choose whom we will be kind to, or who will merit our listening ear and helpful hand.

But most importantly we must be ever listening for God’s gentle leading.  And it helps to be aware of our own pride, which seeks to falsely urge us to say what we needn’t say or do what should be left undone.  Some folks get it, and quickly.  For others, like me, it’s a constant pass/fail experience as I try to do my Father’s will and serve my brothers and sisters.  Hopefully, it will get easier.