Beggars CAN Be Choosers

I have always disliked the statement, "Beggars can't be choosers." Why can't they be?
I would dare say that most of us have been in the position of "beggar." But, nevermind the position. Let's talk about what that feels like and what sort of beliefs accompany it. To be in need, HURTS. It doesn't matter if the need is a place to sleep, a hot meal, money to keep the lights on, a healed body, restored relationship, or someone to actually see us. A broken heart feels broken, and broken usually splinters into pieces that include shame, fear, embarrassment, loneliness, and powerlessness.  From those pieces come beliefs that tell us we are nothing, no good, and hopeless. Does this mean that a person's broken state doesn't entitle them to a choice? To something better or different? Says who? Certainly, not Jesus.
Jesus invites us to come to Him. He invites us to approach with boldness and confidence. He touched the contagious sick without thinking twice. He forgave the thief on the cross. He loved the prostitute. He transformed Paul, the murderer and hater of Christians. He gave Hannah, desperate to be a mother, not a few coins or a loaf of bread, but a beautiful SON!
He is the lavish giver of all things!
I have been the beggar. It is really hard. I also work with beggars. We are actually, people. We are not our need. Do you get that? People are way more than what they lack, or what we perceive they lack.
I have also been on the other end. The giving end. And, I have grieved God with my not so subtle self righteousness and arrogant thoughts. The change in tone of voice. You know, the condescending tone we use with the child who just spilled his milk? Or, the very wise advice we must immediately impart which will be the person's golden ticket to a new life. The fake concern when inside we are thinking, "Man, this person is a MESS." Ouch! Sorry, God.
How are we talking about the people we come across in our life who are hurting? Or, to get to the heart of it, what are we THINKING? What we don't need are a whole lot of do-gooders. Trust me, and many of you know what I am talking about. You can smell a do-gooder from a mile away and they STINK! People who are hurting are often quite insightful. They know down to their toes when someone feels pity, false concern, or (poorly) hidden self-righteousness. THEY KNOW.  Just because a person has found themselves in the position of a beggar, does not mean that they have lost their brain.
One of the greatest compliments I received from a resident at work was that I made her feel normal. Isn't that how we all want to feel? JUST. NORMAL?
Some of this is really about us becoming well acquainted with our own foul body odor. If we don't know that we stink, the deodorant will stay in the medicine cabinet. Get it? Jesus came for the sick (aka, ALL OF US) not the healthy.
Another part, is seeing people through the eyes of Christ. I wish this came naturally and without effort. I wish being a Christian made this kind of eyesight a given. But, it doesn't. Some people really piss us off. Some people really hurt us. Some people are pretty unlovable. Some are just plain annoying. Some sin differently than we do. Others can never seem to get it together. People are messy. People are hard. (As a reminder, we are one of "those people.") The ability to see into the eyes and heart of a person and see what Jesus sees takes work. It takes prayer and asking. It takes practice. It takes being aware of when we are starting to look down on someone, get exasperated, angry, or just annoyed. It even takes being aware of when we start to lose compassion and we feel a disconnect. Drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit is imperative when it comes to caring for others. Acknowledging the grace and forgiveness that the Lord has lavished on us time and again will help us be able to extend it to others. Being aware of our own brokenness will help us care about the brokenness in others.
As Christmas approaches, we will no doubt be in contact with people who are really hurting for all different reasons. May we guard our tongues, hearts, and minds against judgment, criticism and indignation. And, by ALL means beggars are absolutely entitled to be choosers. That is not a statement to live by.  Instead, may we be the kind of people and church who roll out the red carpet and give up our seat for others.
We are all sinners.
And wow, we are also loved.