Last week 2 of my superiors from work (who happen also to be my best
friends) and I were at the gas station getting the company van filled up. I was sitting in the back seat when my boss was
approached by a young man and all I heard was some casual chatter. Then he poked his head back in the car and
asked “Do either of you have any extra cash to help buy this guy some gas?” As he asked it, he had one of those looks on
his face that indicated he didn’t think the kid wanted the money for gas at
all. I got out of the car, and asked the
kid what pump he was at. Then I went
inside and told the clerk to please put $15 worth of gas on my card for pump
#1. I got back in the car while I waited
for our car to finish filling. My
buddies—I love them both dearly—looked at me like I was unaware of what kind of
a world we live in. Trust me; I know
what kind of world we are facing in these times. It breaks my heart. But one of my favorite bible passages to
comfort me when I feel this way is Mark 2:13-17.
When reading this Gospel, I am moved by the willingness of Levi, son
of Alphaeus (also known later as Matthew), leaving his post to follow Jesus. Jesus asked him to “Follow me,” and without
hesitation, Levi got up, left his position, and followed our Savior. This to me
exemplifies trusting in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, to take us on a journey to
places we might not otherwise find ourselves.
However, this Gospel reading holds a much deeper message for me as a
Christian. Jesus dined with the tax
collectors and the sinners, the lowliest of low, at a dinner. He made Himself
available to go to supper with people who needed His love and forgiveness in a
very desperate way. I have found life brings me many opportunities to be
present for people who otherwise do not have a voice in the worldly
conversations. Those people who are struggling to find joy and redemption in
all the wrong places. God places us right where He wants us to be and the times
He wants us to be there. To open a home up to people who otherwise would never
receive an invitation to hear the good news of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ,
is where God can and will lead us, just as Jesus led Levi.
It is so easy to not be in those special places, to ignore
those who are stricken with such shame, such hopelessness that they feel lost,
and continue to make the wrong decisions, only perpetuating their misery. Jesus wants and needs to be at the center of
those who daily look for some type of hope in their existence here on earth. Just stop for a minute, pause, look around for
those opportunities. They are there
right in front of our faces, we simply don’t take the time often enough to recognize the
struggles and the pain.
After the young man put the gas in his car ($15 only put about 5
gallons in his tank), he came over to shake my hand and said “God Bless you,
Sir!” THAT is why I try to help those I
know I can.
For those of us who have an intimate relationship with our Savior,
we are blessed beyond any human understanding.
It is the Holy Spirit that lives within each of us that increases our
desire to share the good news of salvation. The ultimate physician is there for
all who are sick and weary, we just need to call His name. For those who don’t
have this intimate spiritual relationship, we need to share this good news of
the saving grace they too can receive, if they simply call out and acknowledge
Jesus as their Savior.
Imagine a world of hope this would be if each of us in our own way
were to stop and help those who are sick, who struggle, and who need comfort. I
believe that it is God’s intention for each of us to be a beacon of light to
this lost world. God knows what we are
capable of doing; He is trusting us to be His light in this world. Stop! Look! Feel! Pray! Care! Love! Don’t ignore
those opportunities. Thank God for those opportunities. Be that one person who
dines with those who need to know the Good News. Be that person who spreads the
message of hope and mercy that is Jesus Christ.
Do I help everyone who asks for handouts? I try.
But I fail miserably. I can only
hope I’m doing enough.
