I am reading a book called The Wild Goose Chase. In essence it’s discussing the various cages we find ourselves in..mostly without realizing it. It also gives example after example of allowing our lives, big things and small things, to be led by the Holy Spirit..which is similar to chasing a wild goose:) What adventures when we submit to His leading… For then God gets all the glory and we are left with increased faith and sheer wonderment at His movement in our lives.

But then I reached a chapter that stirred my heart vigorously. He began to discuss seminary students and their assignment to preach on the story of The Good Samaritan. At the end of this story basically these seminary students were so busy preparing for and trying to get to their class to preach their message on the Good Samaritan that they did not stop as the exact scenario happened (planned by professors) on the street they took to class.. So they were in such a hurry to preach the message of the Good Samaritan that many did not even stop to help the Good Samaritan ..?.. Profound.

Many are waiting to be reached..some closer than we think. Yet we are so busy moving toward our destination…our callings…our next stop..that we have missed the entire point of the message. In essence..we have failed many. Ponder the words He gave me and ask yourself what I asked myself. Am I guilty? In need of repentance? Who in my sphere of influence have I yet to place a phone call to checking on them. Have I put out any effort at all or have I made up many excuses. Seems I have heard many that we have rationalized away. “I don’t feel led…” “If God wants my involvement He will give me a Word..” “It’s not my calling..” Really? Jesus stopped on His way to a dying person to heal another. I am also reminded of this passage of scripture:

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John 5:5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. ⁵ Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

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38 years this man lay there waiting for someone to help him. 38 YEARS!! But what happened was everyone merely stepped over him, around him, maybe even literally on top of him. This breaks my heart into. Why didn’t anyone grab him and carry him? Somebody please tell me. Are we really any different today? How many are we stepping over, around, onto in such a hurry to fulfill our own plans…that we have sacrificed many who are waiting to see Jesus. Love thy neighbor as thyself… where is it?

I am certain God does not take lightly our use of His Word in a mere pious and prideful way. The world is onto us. Many are turning away from Christ..their only hope. For they do not see the Christ they are told about in people who say they are His. May God wake us up…. for many desire to share their pains and be free..but we have yet to give a listening ear. We have lost the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit and sacrificed many for our own desires. We pray with no intent of heart…”they worship me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.” May He speak to us each and reveal His truth. Only when we are faithful in the small things will He trust us with the bigger things.

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[pullquote_left]From My Closet to Yours:[/pullquote_left]

 

 

 

They Never Come..

Lord there’s questions in my heart
What should have been never had a start?
Loss of sight; a darkened veil
Crooked turns filled with nails.
One waits for those who care to love
Yet still he waits …. They never come.
Such hearts consumed by temporal tasks
While eternal ones go untapped.
Exposing lack of deep travail
We sit and pray but ships don’t sail.
Far sighted dreams fill our days
While one continues to wait…and wait…
Excused by mere religious slang
The pain of seekers everyday
Content to gather in thy House
In Your Name, our Bibles out..
Overlooking those in need
Beyond thy walls.. Beyond thy streets.
Conviction dulled by all the noise, ambitions sought, wanting more.
Now on that day of eternal bliss
God shall not forget in thy midst
The pain of one that made Him cry
As He watched His people pass him by…
The one in need is not too far
Under thy nose a heart is hard
For He still waits the love of One
For God’s called people have yet to come..

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Let it be no longer friends

Love MUCH,

Shelly