Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I was a stranger and you took me in



We stood behind the tape in the pits just before the start of the race. The racer was desperately trying to start his bike, but all it would do would crank-no start. Just a few minutes ago he had been on the track for practice laps, now they were calling for the bikes in his heat race, and it looked like he might not make it. As the crews frantically checked everything, the guy next to me was trying to get the crew chief's attention. He kept pointing at the bike, but no one was paying attention to him. He even raised his voice to no avail. It was finally when he reached over the tape and turned the pet cock to "ON" that they noticed him, and asked him to leave-he hadn't stayed behind the tape. And as the bike roared to life, someone had shut off the gas, the rider took off to the starting line-thankful that this someone had helped out, but quite a different story was taking place in the pits. The crew chief was livid that this man had reached over and touched the bike-against the rules, and was giving him a piece of his mind. Maybe the piece that had missed the obvious. He was told they have rules in the pits for a reason, and that he would be banned from entering them for interfering. Sadly, a much different viewpoint than that of the racer. For without this stranger's help, he would still be stuck in the pits. And miss the race.
Recently in church we all met at the altar after the service to pray. When I noticed one man, a stranger to me, by himself on stage. It took me a few seconds to get to him, as God told me, then reminded me three more times to go pray with him. But I just couldn't drop Theresa, so I finished with her and then went up on stage. He was new in town, and felt alone. He didn't know anyone, but had come into the church to get involved and make friends and fellowship, with them and with his savior, Jesus Christ. We prayed, hugged, and then I went back down, doing what God had asked me to do-pray with a stranger in church. But like the stranger who turned on the petcock, I was in for a surprise.
A few weeks later I saw this man again, playing on stage. After the service, when he was the only one left, I went up, and we embraced. He was touched I remembered him, and told me what an encouragement I had been to him that night. I had provided by my obedience to God, the very thing he needed at the moment- a friend, and a Christian brother to pray for him and with him. We prayed, hugged again, and I left-only to be intercepted by two men, security they called themselves, who told me to stay off the stage for my own safety. When they persisted on making their point, I told them "go ask the man I was praying with why I was up there with him." Which they finally did, but at this point, rules had over ruled the Spirit-another clear cut case of not trusting God, but sticking to the rules, despite the prescience of the holy spirit. Another point scored for legalism and religion. And my peace was stolen from me.
I was hurt for I had obeyed God, and we both were blessed. But I was yet stopped again, by another man, an assistant pastor, who wanted to make sure I understood what I had done. It seems I was the only one who had. I was advised to stay off the stage for security reasons-funny we had all been invited up the previous time, and I was just responding to what God told me to do.
So I told him I didn't understand, how you would rather me have obey your rule, and be disobedient to God, and cause me to fall into sin. Well, that changed everything, and without details, I showed him how foolish rules are in comparison to the spirit. The law kills-the spirit gives life. And started asking him questions-like did Jesus have a security team, and caught him off balance. When he mentioned his disciples, all I could think of was them abandoning Jesus in the garden. Peter wimping out to a little girl. And all but Thomas hiding in the upper room after His resurrection.
Today you may be asked by God to do something, it is your choice what to do. Trust God and live. OR disobey God, clinging to the rules and laws, and find yourself in sin with God. Without God no peace, and having to repent-but man is satisfied. With Him, God is satisfied and the peace continues. Would I do it again? "Yes," I told the pastor. I will rather obey God than man. And I think he got it. But I know that he will soon return to his rules. By the way, the message that day was on faith, to trust God. When I reminded him of that, and my actions, I was vindicated-by God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Proverbs 3:5 says. I did. Lean not on your own understanding. I didn't. And He will guide your paths in all your ways.
Which He did, and will again. For whether at the beginning of a race, or the ending a service, and in the in-between times, Godly advice only works if taken. You can have your rules-I have Jesus. Silly question, but which one saved you from your sin? Your own answer may surprise you. Trust God. Be a Matthew 25 Christian. Upset the world in love. And you just may surprise the church. But not God.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com