"One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake." Luke 8:28
Jesus asked his disciples to “go over to the other side” of the lake. The Sea of Galilee was subject to fierce winds and sudden violent storms that came without notice. Consequently, most boats would hug the shoreline so the crews could reach land quickly if a storm came up. The disciples were asked to take a risk; they were justifiably afraid. They might have refused to go. Nonetheless, they were willing to go over to the other side and get out of their comfort zone. Because they were willing to take a risk, we have this wonderful story of God’s miraculous intervention.
God puts people in our paths each day. There are many ways that we can respond to the opportunities. We can give them a big smile and a hearty hello, we can stop to help them in some way, we can pray with them, we can encourage, praise and uplift them, we can tell them that Jesus loves them and invite them to visit our church, we can buy them some food or we can just ignore them (or even walk on the other side of the road) since they are strangers and we don’t know them. I think it is God’s plan to put these people in our path each day and it is up to us to recognize, be aware and respond to these occurrences in a positive way that would serve and glorify Him. We must be willing to take risks when these opportunities occur. These positive responses can make a huge difference in someone’s life; we also will be blessed by doing something good for all those we come in contact with each day. Remember, our mission field starts when we drive off the church parking lot each Sunday. Let’s all be ready to take a risk this week. God will be pleased.
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
In His Grace,
Ron Hodge
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