Being a Human Road Sign

Jesus was in Jerusalem for a feast, and He saw the sick people gathered by the pool of Bethesda. The people were there in anticipation that an angel would stir the water. First one in would, supposedly, be healed.

There was a man there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus approached him and asked an unusual question. "Do you wish to get well?"

The man gave a strange non-answer. "There's no one to put me in the water when it's stirred. Someone always gets there first."

Jesus spoke to the man and, with one quick sentence, transformed his life. "Arise. Take up your pallet and walk." And he did. Immediately.

To any sensible person, this would be a wonderful thing. To the Jewish leaders, this was a scandalous action. Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He'd done work. He'd broken the law. He deserved to be arrested and killed.

Jesus' answer to the accusers made them even more angry. "Can't you see from My works that God has sent Me?" 

No, they couldn't, because they didn't want to see, even though His life, and His actions were road signs pointing to God the Father.

He wrapped Himself in flesh, dwelt among us, and showed us God by the way He lived and the things He did. Every action Jesus performed pointed to His Father. Every single action.

The question for us is simple. To what or whom do our actions point? Are we "sometimes" pointing to our Heavenly Father or always pointing people to Him? Today, let's be intentional about every action. Every word. Every thought. Let's make sure our life is a road sign pointing to Christ, showing the way to Him, and not the world.

"But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me."  John 5:36 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Comfort, Convenience, and Christ

Update on Sam's Kids Boot Project: $4425 raised so far. That's 368 pairs of boots! Still a long way to go, but we've made an excellent start. In case you still want to donate, here's the link: www.globaloutreach.org/sams-kids
You can also mail a check or money order to: (Be sure to put Acct # 4852 in the subject line)

Sam's Kids

c/o Global Outreach 

PO Box 1

Tupelo MS 38802 

Thanks for your help!

#Jesus #disciple

The Hay-Nibbler Effect

Of the three horses in the barn, Cali is definitely the slowest mover.  That is a great advantage for a Western Pleasure horse in the show ring, so it seems unwise to rush her, but some mornings, a little quicker pace would be nice.  The delay is caused by Cali's attention to the hay that has dropped on the floor of the barn on the way to the paddock.  She wants both the big bundle of hay outside the door and the little scattered hay along the floor.  (You may have read about Cali and her nibbling-ways a few weeks ago.)  

Recently, our lovely Quarter Horse mare has taken note of Cali's delay.  A few days ago, Belle headed out the barn door, just like always.  Half-way through, she looked back, realized Cali was busy with something, and backed up to get a better look.  On reentering the barn, Belle realized that Cali was eating the hay that had dropped off the flake in their rack.  As quietly as could be, Belle stepped alongside Cali and started eating.  

Usually, Belle is content with the "easy pickings" hay just outside the door.  I've never seen her pause to get every morsel.  She wouldn't have, even now, if she had not seen Cali doing it first.  She hasn't paused to nibble every day, but, more days than not, she is joining Cali in getting all she can.  

Cali set the example and Belle has followed right along.  It's a good thing the example was one worth following.  What about the example we set, though?  Is it one worth following? How many people are making a choice or taking an action based on what they have seen us do?  Let's be sure our example is one that can be followed with the confidence that our actions were right actions.  In fact, if we are looking at examples, we need to look at more than actions.  We need to look at our words and attitudes, too.  Are yours worth emulating?
Would life be better for those you love if they acted, spoke, and felt just like you?  Would they be more like Jesus?

Oh dear ones, what a different place this world would be if those of us who know Jesus actually acted as He would act, spoke as He would speak, felt as He felt.  We could make such a difference.  We could, if we would.  Will you be the example someone longs to follow?