As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
It is my planning time late in the afternoon at school when I get the call.
"Mom!" My daughter, Sarah, is on the line, sobbing hysterically. "I just had an accident! Please, please come get me. Come get me!"
"Dear Lord! Are you hurt? Where are you?"
Sarah tells me she's alright. Just shaken up. Gives me her location.
"I'll be right there!"
I drop everything. Rush out of the school with barely a word to the office.
This is an emergency. This can't wait.
My baby is in trouble!
If you are a parent, you would do the same thing, wouldn't you? Stop everything you are doing and run to your child's aid. Or, if your spouse calls needing your help, wouldn't you have a similar reaction?
These behaviors are natural for us when we are in close relationship with someone. We'll go to any and all lengths necessary to heed their call. To meet their needs.
But, would you drop everything to answer the call of a perfect stranger?
Probably not.
That's why I think Matthew knows who Jesus is. Has heard His teachings. Maybe, since he is a tax collector despised by the Jews, hovering only on the periphery of the crowds. Trying hard not to be noticed.
And, wishing with all his might that the Lord would notice him. Invite him to join the disciples. Even though he is so unworthy . . .
So, when Jesus passes by the tax booth and tells him to follow, Matthew reacts instantly.
Can this really be happening? Is this Jesus calling me? He is! He IS!
Matthew drops everything!
Jumps up and follows the Lord.
~
Are you answering God's call to you? Are you following the Lord?
Will you join me in prayer?
Help us, Father, to hear Your voice calling to our hearts each day. Let our prayers always be to follow You, to walk in Your will and Your ways, to Your honor and glory. May others see You in us. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 102 or 107:1-32
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Ephesians 5:1-20
Matthew 9:9-17
I love all your posts Martha. I look for them and wait for them. It's my morning prayer, my daily meditation. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteBut, would you drop everything to answer the call of a perfect stranger?
Yes, I do. I have done in since I was a child, maybe more than I should, but I don't regret it since in some people's lives, I know I made a difference
Nikky, I think that is so admirable that you would drop everything for someone you don't know well - what a giving spirit! So glad you know that your intercession made a difference in the lives of those persons.
DeleteThank you for reading the posts daily; so happy to know you find them inspirational.
Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings to you!
Thanks for this prayer Martha. It's hard to answer a stranger's call nowadays. But I guess it depends on the situation. And I think a quick prayer will help.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think there are times when we would "drop everything" for a stranger depending on the need at the time, and prayer is always a great way to discern how or if we should help.
DeleteThanks so much for coming by today, Irene!
Blessings to you!
I've been blessed, in times of emergency, to have strangers do just that-drop everything and help. It's a rarity nowadays, but when I can, I try to reciprocate and do the same for others.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jessica!
DeleteI've had that to happen, too, in times of emergency and have been so grateful for the people who helped me.
I think there are certainly times when we will help someone in need whom we don't know depending on the circumstances.
Blessings to you!
I try to help strangers with compliments and smiles. I often feel my day is lacking them, so I hand them out assuming others feel the same.
ReplyDeleteThe letting God lead... I try, but am not always patient enough. :)
Oh, Rachel, I love this practice of reaching out to others. I must say I try to do that as often as possible.
DeleteI know . . . took me years to let go of my reins. It will happen! :)
Blessings to you!
that really is a great analogy...we jump and run to go to our loved ones...but do we do the same for our creator?! pretty powerful stuff to think about!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! We'll jump for our loved ones, yet not for God . . . you HAVE given us some very deep issues to think about. It is powerful!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Annmarie!
Blessings to you!
My mom would immediately run to our aid when I or my sister gets sick or when something bad happens to any of us. And I agree with you, it's difficult to respond when it's a perfect stranger who calls for help. I guess that's why I have so much admiration for doctors and others who are in the medical field. I experienced a part of the life of being a doctor when I was still a medical intern and I rotated in the emergency room. I think it's a perfect example of dropping everything else you are doing just to attend to someone who is sick, in a life-threatening condition, or someone who is dying. :-)
ReplyDeleteBut if it is Jesus calling me, I would definitely be overwhelmed. He is so Holy, and calling a sinner like me is truly a grace from God. :-)
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful reflection, Martha. God bless <3 :-)
Oh, but He HAS called you, Irene! We are all sinners, just like Matthew, and Jesus is the Great Physician who has come to help us all. Thank goodness for our Lord!
DeleteThanks so much for coming by today!
Blessings to you!
Oh yes Martha, praise a Great Lord for calling us, sinners! :-)
DeleteI had read somewhere the defination of faith - it said when you are on the edge of a cliff with the fear of falling down, have faith. He will either give you wings to fly or will be standing down to hold you. - Your post reminded me of this story.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and touching.
AMEN
Thanks so much for stopping by, Me!
DeleteOh, what a great definition of faith. I love it!
Thanks for sharing it here for the readers.
Blessings to you!
This is so beautiful Martha. On those many occasions when Jesus called the disciples...while some doubt, they still follow Jesus' lead. I always feel that GREAT presence of God when He passes around...and even though we do not see Him, when I hear His voice, I jump off like Matthew.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful to those who have planted seeds of faith in us. I pray that we may be always receptive to His beckoning ~ and that we may always discern God's voice amidst the many noises we hear around us.
We have a truly wonderful and loving God.
Thanks so much for dropping by, Melissa!
DeleteYes, we should ever be grateful to those who have planted the seeds of faith in us so we would grow and be able to hear God calling to us. And, as you said, "may we always discern God's voice amidst the many noises we hear around us". Wonderful!
Blessings!
Another beautiful post. I think fear is what stops us from helping strangers sometimes, but I have been open enough to do it in the past. There are times though when my own doubts about the person's credibility hindered me from helping and I put my own safety first. I think in the moment I felt it was the right thing to do and I would often say a prayer in my head asking God to help the person because I couldn't. But, yes we all should be willing to follow God daily as he is and should be the purpose in our lives. Happy Sunday!
ReplyDeletehttp://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2012/05/lyric-fire-when-writers-collide-my-fantasy-author-mashups.html
Oh, I love your comment here - that when we feel we can't truly help someone physically for whatever reason, we can always pray for them. You reminded me that I, too, have done that often - when I see a bedraggled soul on the roadside holding a sign - "Will work for food", or a disheveled person trudging down the road.
DeletePrayer is always the right thing to do and, sometimes, the only thing we really can do.
Thanks for stopping by and happy Sunday to you, too!
Blessings!
Amen! I agree! :-)
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister! Let's jump up and go! :)
DeleteBlessings and thanks for always coming by!
We dont usually run when a stranger asks for help. I dont know why this fear or hesitation.Thank you for the prayer, Martha
ReplyDeleteSo glad you dropped in, Rimly, and that you liked the prayer. It always makes me feel as though I've done what God has asked when people tell me they are praying with me . . .
DeleteBlessings always!