Open My Eyes

Homeless man with the sign...

Lady walking with oxygen...

Soldiers wounded protecting me...

Many times we go through life and we just fly by. For me, I feel that this time of the year I do this more than any other time. I know that miss a lot going on but it has hit like me a brick wall today.

I was driving to lead a Bible Study at GAP Ministries several weeks ago. For those of you that do not know what this is, it is a wonderful ministry that provides both spiritual and physical needs for the poor. As I was trying to "get in my Bible Study mood" (you know...the one that isn't frazzled, just yelled at a client, just got into an argument with husband, flustered, agitated - put my happy face that I have it all together look) when I saw a homeless man holding a sign that said "Will Work for Food".

And I instantly turned my head and pretended like I did not see him. Then of course the light turned red and I was stuck at the light. I have heard this happen to so many people but honestly this is the first time it has happened to me in years. Well...it's the first time it has happened since the majority of my day is dedicated to helping people in his situation. As I was having this mix of emotion, the light turned green and I breathed a sigh of relief. But this man has not left my mind. The song "Twenty-First time keeps replaying in my mind - "but what if he's Jesus and I walk away. I say I'm the body and drink of the wine but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time".

Then I couldn't help but remember what we are studying in our small group. We have been looking at the Not A Fan book and what has stood out to me is the scripture about Jesus calling people to follow him. One section of verses really hit me. "This man says to Jesus, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' (Luke 9:57) Jesus says, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'" (Luke 9:58). How committed am I? Would I rather be homeless and have Jesus or have a home and not have Jesus? This man said he was ready to follow Jesus but after Jesus pretty much tells him that following him is not going to be easy, the man turns away.

I have always taken the easy way  out when has come to Jesus. Making only the "right"decisions when I wanted to or when it was convenient for me. To truly follow means to sacrifice, to put my relationship with him above EVERYTHING else, to pick up the cross daily and follow him.

It is not an easy journey, but doesn't he deserve it? Open my eyes, my heart, and my mind. Let every day be spent in love with Him and striving to know Him more, and BE LIKE HIM. May I not ever be too busy and miss it.