Get up and follow Him

The LORD bless you and keep you!  The LORD let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!  The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

A few years back, a couple of my good friends (my co-workers and superiors) and I were at the gas station getting the company van filled up.  I was sitting in the back seat when my boss, who was pumping the gas was approached by a young man and I heard some casual chatter.  Then Todd 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.  But I had another feeling.  So 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 the Gospels give me hope, in particular Mark 2:13-17.

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 Him.  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 us as Christians.  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.  Life brings us 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 at 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, and 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, he came over to shake my hand and said, “God Bless you, Sir!”  That simple plea to God on my behalf was more than enough proof for me that I had assessed the young man’s need correctly, and that the Holy Spirit had led him to ask my friends and me for help.

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 one person who spreads the message of hope and mercy that is Jesus Christ to whomever is sent your way.

Do I help everyone who asks for handouts?  I try.  But I fail miserably.  I can only hope I’m doing enough.