Why Do You Do What You Do

I saw her again last week. One of the reasons I do what I do. I was walking toward the closest Tim Horton's for a coffee, and from a distance I saw a lovely girl with long dark hair and a beautiful yellow blouse. She was running her fingers through her hair as if to straighten it from a high wind. Only, it wasn't windy.
As she came closer, I realized her actions were jerky, compulsive, almost angry. Her face and arms bore the ravages of the habit that had brought her once more to a high. I don't know if she was still there or coming down. But as I headed into the local coffee shop, my petty annoyances of the day seemed so trivial.
God has given me the opportunity to work in an organization that reaches out to the lost and hurting on the streets of our City. The mandate of the organization is to do this not only with the necessary assistance of food, clothing and shelter, but most importantly with the love of Jesus. He showed us the way when He not only fed the crowds that gathered to hear Him speak with the Bread of Life, but also with the loaves and fishes. The place I work for provides the necessities, the counseling and Jesus.
I need to be reminded of why I do what I do from time to time. I get so caught up in administration details, personality differences, worrying like Mary's sister Martha about the housekeeping of the place, that I can forget the main objective.
We can all get like that no matter what we do. It's easy to recognize if you are in Christian service: Pastors can get overwhelmed by paperwork, artists can lose focus of Who should get the spotlight. But it happens with everyone. Teachers, farmers, cashiers - if we let the cares of the day push out the voice of the Father, we have forgotten why we do what we do.
We are called to be salt and light, no matter where we are placed. To extend the love of Jesus to our coworkers, friends and family. The main reason we are here is to worship God and part of that worship is sharing His love with those around us.
I was glad that God altered my thought patterns that day on my way to get a coffee. They needed His touch and I have to say, that happens more than it should. But a reminder is always good. I need to keep the Main Thing, the main thing. That's why I do what I do.