On the Side of the Road

How often do we pass that person on the side of the road? Personally I've only stopped three times in my life, twice to change a tire and once to give someone a jump. But how many times do we stop to help others with more problems than just road-side maintenance? I mean spiritually do we notice the invisible hand wave or inaudible cry for help from our friends, co-workers or acquaintances? This is probably one of the most challenging things we face in our lives; whether to pull over or not.

Through my years here in Providence I've seen many spiritual lives grow and some fizzle out. To watch them grow is one of the most amazing things to be apart of, on the other hand, watching the light in peoples lives grow weaker is one of the most terrible things to witness. Can you see the light starting to fizzle in someones life? If so are you going to pull over and help them rekindle the flames they once had? For me the answer is simple, I pull over! I can't bear to watch another person step away from Christ, to be swallowed by darkness. I can vividly remember when I decided to take my own path over God's path and the devastating things that happened to me. To know someone could go through the same thing makes me step on the brakes with both feet to jump out and help. I don't mean that always I'll talk to them immediately, but I go to Christ in prayer over what it is he would have me do in that situation, that is unless I see them driving toward a cliff. What I'm saying is that, perhaps we need to keep our "spiritual eyes" open to the people around us and no just pass them by when then their hands are flailing in desperate need of help. The situation calls for prayer first and foremost, then action. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help us in time of need."

Let us pray that we won't become that passive driver on the road of life and pass those in need, but that we would have the compassion to see when we need to pull over and help. And in all things, no matter how big or small that we would bring it to the God of grace that abounds in mercy and love for his children.