Shine: Week 2 - Day 1
OPENING PRAYER:
Open my heart today to the needs around me. Help me to see ways that I can show your love to my friends and neighbors.
“Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.”
REFLECT:
So often I can get caught up in the day-to-day activities of my own life. I become so focused on my problems, frustrations and schedule that I don’t notice what is going on around me. It’s easy to miss what is happening around us when we are so self-focused. Jesus could have easily passed by all the people with physical needs there at the pool in Bethesda. Jesus was likely on his way to do something important and I’m sure he had people around him needing his attention. Jesus, being the perfect son of God, was so attuned to the will of the Father that he was always aware of those around him who needed his help. You can see examples of this throughout the Gospels. Jesus took the time to stop and tell a man who had been an invalid for 38 years that he was healed. Jesus didn’t let the physical needs of those around him go unnoticed.
How often do we miss opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us? There are those in our community with real physical needs that we could help meet if only we would slow down and pay attention. When we can stop and acknowledge that someone needs our help, God can shine. God is going to meet you there and help you be his light in the dark places.
APPLY:
Is there anyone that you know with a physical need? Maybe you know a mom with a newborn, a friend with a chronic illness or children in your community who need coats for the winter. Shine by seeing those around you with physical needs. If you aren’t sure where to start, contact the church office and ask how you can help.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Help me to step out in faith to meet the needs of those around me. Show me where I can serve most faithfully.
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