In Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John were headed to the temple when God provided a holy interruption. This interruption in their path, a lame beggar, wasn’t just seen–he was also heard. Like those irritating phone calls and letters that annoy us today, this man was asking for money.
How easy it would have been to shrug him off, especially since they were on their way to do something “holy.” (“Sorry – late for church! Catch you later!”) They could have used the avoidance method employed by the priest in the Good Samaritan story: just cross the street or take a different door into the temple. Anything to avoid eye contact.
Peter and John, however, embraced the interruption as God-ordained. Their day planners may have said “Prayer Time,” but the Holy Spirit prompted a change in their schedules: “Time to Share the Love of Jesus.”
It’s notable that verse four records that Peter and John “looked straight at him” and also required him to look back at them. Then (and now) it was (and still is) easy to avert our eyes– to look away from poverty and pain, to pretend it’s someone else’s problem, that “someone else” will do “something.”
Where am I shirking? Where am I refusing to be interrupted–to follow the detour God offers?
Do I cling to my calendar, unyielding, unwilling to be late or even miss an appointment?
Am I so consumed with self and self-interest that there is little time for the needs of others?
Is there no margin in my life to make responding possible?
Is there pride that needs confessed–do I look at the “cripples” in my path as being in that condition because of their poor choices?
We think of greed as related to money, but in the 21st century, Western world, time is the most valuable resource. We may give (or throw) money at a problem to appease our conscience, but adopt a greedy attitude with our 24 hours a day.
God, show me how you want my 24 time bucks spent today. Reveal to me any greediness that needs confessed. Forgive me for failing to do the small things because I am unable to do the big things. Open my eyes to expect God-ordained interruptions and to align my human day planner to your divine plan. Bring on those divine detours and use me to do your will in my world today.
Peter responded to the cripple: “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Then–and now–money was not the answer.
Jesus is the answer to every need.
Copyright 2011 Laura Macfarlan
