Luke 23:26
As Jesus was being led away, some soldiers grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Simon. He was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine walking home from a long day of work or school, and all of a sudden, you are surrounded by police officers or soldiers who are saying, “Come with us… we need you.” Would you be scared? Would you be worried and curious about what they wanted with you… especially knowing that you had done nothing wrong? What if they lifted a heavy wooden cross onto your shoulders and said, “Carry this up the mountain.”? Would adrenaline kick in and help you? Would you freak out and try to escape? What would you do?!
The chances of this happening to us are slim to none. But suppose someone stopped you after work or school and said, “I really need your help. My car broke down and I need a ride.” Or you got a phone call as you headed to the lake for a day of fun, and a friend or loved one said, “I’m sick. Can you watch my baby today… come walk my dog… handle closing my business?” What would you do?
I’m sure that the Simon the Cyrene had no idea when he awoke that morning that he would be expected to help Jesus carry the cross to Calvary at the day’s end. And most of us don’t wake up expecting someone to interrupt our day with a request for help. But the point is, we never know where – or when – we will be called to serve as Disciples of Christ. We won’t literally be asked to carry the cross of Jesus… but in ways great and small, we’ll be called upon to serve in His name.
We must be ready. We must wake up each day asking, “Lord, how and where will you have me serve today?” We must be alert for opportunities… and willing to accept whatever “assignment” God gives us. Some will be unpleasant or downright difficult… others will be total joy to complete. Many will interrupt our plans. But always, when Jesus pulls out of the crowd and says, “It’s your turn,” we must be ready and willing… HE will make us able! Are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment