On the Way

This week we are studying the third and fourth chapters of Acts. Peter and John on their way to the temple to say their prayers found a crippled man sitting at the gate called Beautiful. The crippled man was begging for money and Peter told him that he didnt have money but he would give him what he did have—- healing in Jesus’ name. Isnt it interesting that the crippled man didnt ask for healing? Surely he had heard about all of the people who were healed by Jesus and through His disciples. He asked for what he thought he needed; money to make it through one more day. Is is possible that we often ask for a temporary solution; relief, just enough to get by and yet the Lord has so much more for us?

What really catches my attention is that Peter and John  were on their way doing something very important. After all they were going to the temple to pray. They could have ignored the man on the side of the road asking for help. They could have done the good thing and bypassed the best thing- to bring someone to Jesus.

We too are busy people; on the way to somewhere every day. And every day there is potential for God encounters. Every day in the rush of lives God is at work. Just yesterday I was on the way to teach Bible study and a homeless man came up to me and asked for help. I was running late and could easily have told him I was too busy, running late. After all I was on the way to do something good- of value, right? Yet God interrupted my plans.  I was on the way to doGod’s work (or so I thought) and He showed me the intention of His Word; not just to study and teach His Word, but to live His Word. What good is it to study His Word and not obey? It was a lesson for me and I hope it gives you reason to think next time God interrupts your day…. on the way to doing something good, He will ask you to do something even better.