Missed Opportunities
Today is a travel day, again. I'm scheduled to fly to Tampa, Florida to work for the weekend. A dear friend offered me the opportunity to buy dinner before I left, and I gladly accepted. :-) Anyway, as we left the restaurant, one of those things I fear most happened.
A man called out for help. My first instinct was to ignore the man. But somehow, I just quite couldn't. So, I took a small loaf of bread (one that my friend had acquired from the restaurant) and offered it to the man. He demanded, "It's cold, go to Marshall's and buy me some thermals." I hesitated. "I'll work; if you have any work." Finally I replied, "I've got bread" and held the small bag up to the man. "That's something, anyway" the man said as he took the bag and turned away. As my friend and I took leave of one another in the restaurant parking lot. I kept looking for and seeing the man. And I was troubled. I knew I should have done more, as I got in my car and drove away. It wasn't the thermals that bothered me, it was chilly and it will so get colder, but the man was better dressed than I was. I could certainly afford the thermals, and would likely not even miss the money it would have taken to purchase them. Likewise, time was not the issue, my friend was leaving and I need just a few minutes to pack for a weekend trip. No, my heart wasn't ready.
The man didn't need the thermals he demanded of me, nor did he need the bread I gave him. What he needed is the True Bread of Life, something that I could have given him. I easily could have take the man to the store, and told him that this was a free gift, just as Jesus had given me a free gift. When I thought I wanted a fire suit to protect me from the flames of God's wrath, but Jesus gave me the gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of my sins... not because of me, but because of Him. Likewise I could have gifted the man some thermals and the Gospel. But I wasn't ready.
Tag(s): opportunities, Gospel
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A man called out for help. My first instinct was to ignore the man. But somehow, I just quite couldn't. So, I took a small loaf of bread (one that my friend had acquired from the restaurant) and offered it to the man. He demanded, "It's cold, go to Marshall's and buy me some thermals." I hesitated. "I'll work; if you have any work." Finally I replied, "I've got bread" and held the small bag up to the man. "That's something, anyway" the man said as he took the bag and turned away. As my friend and I took leave of one another in the restaurant parking lot. I kept looking for and seeing the man. And I was troubled. I knew I should have done more, as I got in my car and drove away. It wasn't the thermals that bothered me, it was chilly and it will so get colder, but the man was better dressed than I was. I could certainly afford the thermals, and would likely not even miss the money it would have taken to purchase them. Likewise, time was not the issue, my friend was leaving and I need just a few minutes to pack for a weekend trip. No, my heart wasn't ready.
The man didn't need the thermals he demanded of me, nor did he need the bread I gave him. What he needed is the True Bread of Life, something that I could have given him. I easily could have take the man to the store, and told him that this was a free gift, just as Jesus had given me a free gift. When I thought I wanted a fire suit to protect me from the flames of God's wrath, but Jesus gave me the gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of my sins... not because of me, but because of Him. Likewise I could have gifted the man some thermals and the Gospel. But I wasn't ready.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.Father, help me to prepared when you next give me a divine appointment. Forgive me my failures and lift me up so that I can try again. In all things, your will be done. Amen
(2Ti 4:2 KJV)
Tag(s): opportunities, Gospel
Click here for the full post.
posted by Bryan at 7:23 AM
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