Tuesdays with Jesus #173

#173  "Pray"

October 12, 2010

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Galatians 5: 13-15)

I saw the strangest thing at the mall this weekend.  I should really say that I saw the strangest person at the mall this weekend. So that I don't dishonor this individual, and stay tender to his plight, I will leave out the details of what I observed and where I observed him. Chuck and I briefly commented on what we saw and went about our day.

For some reason, this person came to my mind today while I was going about my morning routine.  I'm ashamed to tell you what thought came into my mind, but here goes. I thought, "I have to tell "so and so" to go check this guy out". Don't worry; I have already repented for that thought. Yes, I'm called to be free, but I can't use the freedom that Christ died to give me to indulge my sinful nature. Loving my neighbor as myself would never include describing this guy in detail, and sending people over to his place of employment to "check him out", as if he were some kind of attraction at a fair. Instead, I felt moved in my spirit to pray for him.

Maybe there is no one else on planet Earth praying for this man. Could I be the only one? Surely, his mother, if he has a mother, is on her knees continually. I would be, if this were my son. I don't know his name. I don't know the circumstances of his life. I have no idea what would make him do what he does. Something has gone awry somewhere to cause him to put his pain right out there for all to see. I don't understand it, and maybe he doesn't either. I believe that he is no different from you or me. He just wears his sin and dysfunction on the outside, while we carry ours in the secret chambers of our hearts.

Jesus knows every last detail of this man's life. He knows his name. He knows his hopes and dreams. He knows his hurt and pain.  He knows what makes him tick. I felt moved in my spirit to pray for him to the One who knows it all.

They gossiped about the woman at the well. They spread the word about the sin of the woman caught in adultery. They were angry that Jesus picked Zaccheus out of a sycamore tree. They gave Jesus the dirt on the sinful woman. As if He didn't already know. Did they ever think to pray? Do we? Oh, how our hearts are deceitful above all things and beyond cure! We can own that. We can repent. We can pray instead.

I was challenged today by the Holy Spirit to make a choice. Gossip or pray. Spread the word or pray. Tell "so and so" the dirt on this guy, or pray. You may be challenged this very day to make your choice. Remember...you may be the only person on planet Earth lifting that person to the throne of grace. I pray that you will feel moved in your spirit to pray.   

All my love,

Donna

www.livingthewordministries.org

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