Pass On By

I know that there are situations that call for reflection and consideration, however sometimes God calls us to act immediately and we pause too long to be affective.

Mark 14:1-42

Reference:  v.14  "Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'" (NIV Bible)

 

Explore:  We all respond to situations differently.  When an accident occurs some people will just stand and stare, while others will automatically be spurred into action.  When a conflict occurs some people will cower away into the background, while others will jump in to share their opinions.  When there is a task to be fulfilled some people will pitch in straight away, while others will need to know all the details of the why? how? where? and when?
When Jesus needed a place to meet with his disciples to share the Passover meal he sent two of his disciples ahead and told them to ask a certain man where their room would be.  Now, I don't know whether this man had already been forewarned that someone would require a guestroom, but it seems that as soon as he was asked he responded by giving the disciples what they needed.

Application:  How do you respond to a request?  Maybe you are like the owner of the guest room and you just pitch in straight away and offer what is needed.  Maybe you are wired differently and need to know more about the details.  Both approaches have their value.  However, how do we respond when we hear God calling us in a particular direction?  Maybe you jump straight in, having the faith that if it's God's direction then we should commit whole-heartedly.  Or maybe you're more likely to pause and seek confirmation from 16 different people and then wait until the time is right.  I know that there are situations that call for reflection and consideration, however sometimes God calls us to act immediately and we pause too long to be affective.  Someone at work may seem really upset; someone at the shops may need assistance with their bags; someone may be broken down on the side of the road.  If we pause to work out all the details then the moment will just pass on by, and we will have lost the chance of being Jesus' hands and feet.  Sometimes it is important to know the details but when it comes to loving our neighbour as we love ourselves… it's a no-brainer!

Prayer:  Lord, You love us over and over and over again.  May we have the courage to show that kind of love to our neighbours.  Amen.

When have you allowed an opportunity to serve God to just pass on by?

Mark