Are We PAUSED, STOPPED, & WILLING?
Many times, we open our eyes with the tasks of our day upon our mind (or at least I have done this often). For me, as of late, I find that I cannot lay still in the bed, contemplating the day’s work, the schedule of things, the plans I have made, because my back persistently knows how to get my attention while I try to slumber and rest within the bed. Nevertheless, truly, there was a time when the alarm would sound, or when the sun would rise, gently shaking me awake, and immediately, my mind would begin to ponder the day’s work to be accomplished.
That “to-do” list leads Christ-followers to pray over our daily plans.
That “schedule” causes God’s children to pause right there upon their beds and to first talk with God about their day & the things they have to do.
Bible theologian Charles H. Spurgeon said these words about our on-going conversation with God—“Pray until you can pray. Pray to be helped to pray, and do not give up praying because you cannot pray. It is when you think you cannot pray that you are most praying.”
On this day, I find myself prayerfully pondering—Who is God going to place into my path today?
Yes, I wonder—Will I recognize the person when he appears on my path?
That leads me to also ponder—Who is God going to place into your path today? & to also wonder—Will you recognize the person when he appears on your path?
The apostle Paul had this to say about being on-mission for Christ. Yes, that’s correct. In the Bible, we are given the opportunity to know exactly how God would have us move throughout this SOLITARY DAY GOD HAS ALLOWED US to LIVE, to BREATHE, & to be the HANDS and FEET of JESUS.
SEE with me GOD’S WORD.
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—. . .
You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,
so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
(1 Thessalonians 2: 4-5 & 10-12)
Are We PAUSED, STOPPED, & WILLING to Allow Ourselves to be Used by Jesus?
There are many instances within the Bible detailing how Jesus continually paused, how Jesus stopped in His journey, and how Jesus allowed Himself to be slowed down by the NEEDS of others!
Jesus, the Son of God who came to seek and to save the lost—PAUSED—STOPPED—&—ALLOWED HIMSELF to be used by the HEAVENLY FATHER!
I chose to read one story this morning, one re-telling by Dr. Luke. He told of a time Jesus paused, stopped, and allowed Himself to “be in the moment.”
“As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.
Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was.
They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
And he called out saying, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’
Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
And Jesus stopped . . .”
(Luke 18: 35-40a)
Many call the unexpectedly happenings of life “a coincidence,” a “chance-meeting,” but I do not, and maybe you do not either. I believe God’s Word. I believe God allows us to walk through our days, walking in our own schedules, walking within our own plans, living as we deem best—and then God’s providence intervenes—pausing us, stopping us, & allowing us to be used by Him in one of our day’s moments. That’s when we have a choice—Listen to the Holy Spirit of God—OR—Ignore the leading of God’s voice and continue doing our own thing.
This blind man Dr. Luke wrote about was persistent and extremely bold because he had great hope that Jesus Was Who He Said He Was—the Master Physician & the Great Healer. This blind man was “blind” and maybe he had been blind from birth. This blind man could not “see his way out of his current situation” without the touch from Jesus, the Master Healer & Physician.
Who do we know today that needs a touch from Jesus?
Jesus paused in His travels.
Jesus stopped in His passing by.
Jesus allowed God to be seen in the moment.
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
“And he said, ‘Lord, I want to regain my sight!’
And Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.’
Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”
(Luke 18: 41-43)
God allows us to make all the decisions we desire to make.
God gives us a free will to do as we please.
The good decisions, the bad decision, & even the ugly decisions are allowed (by Almighty God).
The bad may bring us hardships.
The ugly could bring us consequences that seem most unbearable.
Yet the good decisions, the moments when we “DECIDE to be USED by JESUS,” those decisions lead us to see God more & then we become aware of the Providential Way God Moves within our daily lives.
Father God,
Help us, LORD, be on the lookout for who YOU are placing into our path today.
Help us, LORD, to not be so focused upon our calendars, upon our plans that we miss others YOU place along the way.
Help us, LORD, not miss the opportunities to be “on mission” for YOU.
Help us, LORD, to not be afraid to be PAUSED, to be STOPPED, & WILLING to ALLOW YOU to use us today.
This is our prayer.
This is our plea.
We ask this today, this morning, God.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.