Devotionals

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After leaving church one evening I drove up to the corner where the stop sign was red. I was planning on turning right. I could have turned right on red when I had the right of way. Just having left Maundy Thursday services my mind was on turning on red. I was content to sit through the red light and wait my turn, pondering the things that had just taken place in the worship service. It had been a moving service and I had been touched and I wanted to relish in it. The person behind me had different ideas. He or she seemed to be in a hurry. They sat behind me blowing their horn waiting for me to make my turn. They seemed to be in a bit of hurry. Finally, as I looked left I saw it would be safe for me to go ahead and turn. As I did the vehicle behind me proceeded to pull in the right lane as I pulled into the outer (left) lane. He went around me like there was no tomorrow. Then pulled back in front of me and sped away. As I came upon my street I noticed he was only a few feet in front of me. He was planning on turning down my street. Instead of waiting for traffic to clear he turned in front of a couple of cars that was coming towards us. He made the turn safely. I wondered why he was in such a big hurry. What was he racing off to? A job or a friend’s house, or maybe a restaurant; who knows where he was headed or why he felt he needed to be in such a hurry. My first thought was, “well if you had been in church you wouldn’t be in such a hurry” but then I realize it was not for me to judge him. Maybe he had been in church and was called away for some reason; an illness at home, a house fire, or any number of emergencies could have happened. As I thought about him and others on the road that evening I began to realize everyone was in a hurry to get some place or do something. I just wanted to slow down and reflect on the evening. The world hadn’t stopped or even slowed down just because I had been in church. There have been other times in my life when I wanted the world to stop. It was during those times I had experienced a death in the family I wanted the world to stop. The world didn’t stop just because I was facing a tragedy.
I once was in a church that had a mural painted on the wall. One of the scenes was a picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. While Jesus was being baptized people were going about their business, washing clothes, fishing, and even bathing. I always had this picture in my mind that the world stopped when Jesus was baptized, but it didn’t life went on. Now I am wondering how many things I might have missed because I was so caught up in my own little world I didn’t notice those things around me. How many times have I rushed through errands not taking the time to notice those people around me who need a shoulder to cry on, someone to listen, or just a smile? Have I cut people off because I was in such a hurry to do something that I thought was important?

We can rush through life always looking for ways to get more things done in a single day or we can begin to slow down and look for God in the people around us. We need to look for opportunities to serve God everyday not just on Sunday or when we feel like it. It always bothers me that at Thanksgiving and Christmas we help people either by buying presents, sharing what groceries we have, or giving extra money in the offering plate, but what about the other ten months? Do we think there aren’t needs to be met? Do we think these folks only need help then? With the economy the way it is I am sure there are needs that need to be met. There are food banks almost empty because we are too concerned with helping ourselves and we are forgetting about our neighbors in need. We have people who are in need of medical care and too many times our response is, “I am sorry, but I can’t help”. I have to worry about me and my family, but I am sure someone will help”. What if God wants us to be that someone? It may mean nothing more than driving them to a doctor’s visit, or going along with them to fill a prescription, or to help fill out papers. What if when we went to the grocery store we stopped and picked up an extra can or two of vegetables or soup and on the way home delivered them to a food bank or a person who needs food? Are we too busy rushing through life we can’t see the situations around us?

Road rage is rampant today. It is because people are rushing about only caring for themselves and their families. We think it is all about us and our families. We are concerned about our needs getting met. James 2:14 says, “My brothers and sisters, if people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. Can faith like that save them?” In verse 20 of the same chapter it goes on to say. “You foolish person! Must you be shown that faith that does nothing is worth nothing?” We know God will provide for our needs, but what if we are His instrument to help those in need around us? We are God’s eyes, hands and feet. If we are too busy how can we reach out in discipleship?

I get up from bed and before I know it, it is time to go to bed. I often lay in bed reflecting on what I did with my day. There are times I feel guilty because I know I rushed through the day doing things that will not matter when I am gone. I feel guilty because I know I should have made a call to a friend to check on her, I should have taken time to write a note to another, and I should have tried to make a difference in someone’s life, but I didn’t. It is not too late. We all can slow down, become a little more courteous and caring. We can all stop being short with one another and reach out in love. It begins with one and spreads like a wave. Will it begin with you today?



“Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help.

Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring”.

I John 3: 17-18



Dear Lord, help us each day to slow down and look at our circumstances around us. Help us to see those who are in need, whether it be in need of food, money, or a shoulder to cry on. Let us be ready to not always speak but to listen. Let us learn to love not only in words but in action and deeds. When we are guilty of rushing about forgive us and remind us to slow down. Bring people into our lives that need us to be your instruments in love, grace and mercy. Amen.



In Christian love,
Becky

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