November 2, 2009
God Direction: 
When we see a yield sign what are we to do? Slow down and look for others coming and stop if someone is coming. In other words take notice of our surroundings and react appropriately.
We are so busy today we often fly right through the yield sign without looking. God gives us yield signs throughout our day but we don't take notice. How many people do we pass throughout our day and never even notice that they're there? I am guilty of this very thing. I'm always in a hurry to get somewhere and don't see the people in need around me or if I do I tell myself I don't have time, I'm on my way to (fill in the blank). Often that place that I am headed to is church. How ironic that I am so busy in the church that I don't think I can stop and help someone in need. I don't have time to be a Christian to the needy because I'm trying to do Christian things. Somehow I don't think that is what Jesus had in mind. Let's look at two stories and see how Jesus reacted when there was someone in need.
Luke 8:40-48
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 1
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’”
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”2
These two stories do not seem to be related but they are examples of Jesus taking notice of people in need. Even though hundreds of people were crowded around Him Jesus noticed the woman who was suffering. Did anyone else notice her? She thought she was invisible. All she needed to do was touch his cloak and then sink back into the dark world she was living in. But Jesus noticed her. At first she was afraid but afterward she left knowing that she was worth something. Jesus stopped while on His way to do something else, He took time out of His busyness to notice.
The second story a small man just wanted a glimpse of Jesus but instead Jesus ate with him. It so impressed this man who thought nobody noticed him that he repented of his stealing and gave it back plus some. Jesus noticed, He yielded to the need. He made these two people who were lonely, lost and hurting feel important. That is what our tasks as Christians should be. To show people that they were created with a purpose and they have worth. Don't just pass them by, slow down, make eye contact, smile and if the Spirit prompts you talk to them.
Let's pray: Father God, I am a miserable sinner. I don't help those you place in front of me to help. Lord I am sorry and I want to change, help me. Show me the people around me in need and give me the strength and courage to help them. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
Would you like to learn how to hear God's direction or more easily recognize the Spirits prompting check out the Contemplative Style Prayer Study found in the Prayer Guide directory.
1The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 8:40-48). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
2The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 19:1-10). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
2The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 19:1-10). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Questions, comments, email me at:
ablaue@goddireciton.com
ablaue@goddireciton.com