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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"What Would You Do?"
October 6, 2010
He came out of nowhere. I was talking with our organist about our plans
for this Sunday's service when this young man came through the sanctuary
door. He asked if I was the pastor. He said he wanted to speak with me.
I took him aside and he seemed very nervous. He told me he was heading
to a meeting and he got caught in the rain. He apologized. He knew that I
was busy, but he needed to get a ride to his meeting. He wanted to know if
I could give him cab fare.
I was busy and tempted to give him what he wanted. I figured it would
only cost about $10 to get where he wanted to go and I would be done with
him. I began to reach into my pocket and then I stopped. Why should I give
him the money for a cab when I could just as easily take him to where he
wanted to go?
I try to operate on the "What would Jesus do?" principal. Whenever I get
into a situation where a decision is needed, I try to imagine what Jesus
would do. The scriptures are filled with stories of Jesus and his encounters
with all kinds of people. We can always learn from them and use that to
inform our actions.
I didn't think about this until later, but the young man came in through the
front door of the church. That door was supposed to be locked. His
presence put me to the test. Was I too busy to make time for someone in
need? Would I let my agenda overrule what God called me to do?
That happens to us sometimes doesn't it? We get so busy that we tend to
focus on our task and ignore everything else. It may be a noble thing we are
engaged in. Our work may benefit others. Yet we often end up missing a
special moment with family, a friend or even an angel is disguise. We let the
activity rob us of these divine appointments that God sets up for us.
Are you too busy to make time for the people that God has put in your
path? Are you like the Pharisee or the Levite who walked right by the man
in the story of the Good Samaritan because of their obligations? I know I'm
guilty sometimes. I almost blew it the other night.
As busy as he was, Jesus always looked to God. As a result, even on his
most hectic days he was able to take time for the people who stopped him
on the street. Can we do any less?
On Tuesday night I stopped what I was doing and told the young man
that instead of the cab fare, I would give him a ride. He looked extremely
surprised. I don't think he expected that. Most of the people he met were
probably just too busy to care.
Thank God I passed the test that night and I hope you will too! When we
follow Jesus' example we will always surprise the people we meet. The
funny thing is that when we stop and give ourselves to the strangers in our
lives, we often come away blessed. So take time and let God use you to
bless someone this week.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
October 6, 2010
He came out of nowhere. I was talking with our organist about our plans
for this Sunday's service when this young man came through the sanctuary
door. He asked if I was the pastor. He said he wanted to speak with me.
I took him aside and he seemed very nervous. He told me he was heading
to a meeting and he got caught in the rain. He apologized. He knew that I
was busy, but he needed to get a ride to his meeting. He wanted to know if
I could give him cab fare.
I was busy and tempted to give him what he wanted. I figured it would
only cost about $10 to get where he wanted to go and I would be done with
him. I began to reach into my pocket and then I stopped. Why should I give
him the money for a cab when I could just as easily take him to where he
wanted to go?
I try to operate on the "What would Jesus do?" principal. Whenever I get
into a situation where a decision is needed, I try to imagine what Jesus
would do. The scriptures are filled with stories of Jesus and his encounters
with all kinds of people. We can always learn from them and use that to
inform our actions.
I didn't think about this until later, but the young man came in through the
front door of the church. That door was supposed to be locked. His
presence put me to the test. Was I too busy to make time for someone in
need? Would I let my agenda overrule what God called me to do?
That happens to us sometimes doesn't it? We get so busy that we tend to
focus on our task and ignore everything else. It may be a noble thing we are
engaged in. Our work may benefit others. Yet we often end up missing a
special moment with family, a friend or even an angel is disguise. We let the
activity rob us of these divine appointments that God sets up for us.
Are you too busy to make time for the people that God has put in your
path? Are you like the Pharisee or the Levite who walked right by the man
in the story of the Good Samaritan because of their obligations? I know I'm
guilty sometimes. I almost blew it the other night.
As busy as he was, Jesus always looked to God. As a result, even on his
most hectic days he was able to take time for the people who stopped him
on the street. Can we do any less?
On Tuesday night I stopped what I was doing and told the young man
that instead of the cab fare, I would give him a ride. He looked extremely
surprised. I don't think he expected that. Most of the people he met were
probably just too busy to care.
Thank God I passed the test that night and I hope you will too! When we
follow Jesus' example we will always surprise the people we meet. The
funny thing is that when we stop and give ourselves to the strangers in our
lives, we often come away blessed. So take time and let God use you to
bless someone this week.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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