Daily Devotion for August 18, 2006

Go!

 

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 9:15

 

It was a day about ten years ago when I met Mr. James on a hot country "highway." I was traveling from Chicago to Michigan. I seldom pick up a hitchhiker, but on that 90+ degree, hot summer day this elderly gentlemen caught my eye, and, without reservation, I pulled over. I wasn't sure how old he was at first, but he told me later he was in his eighties. He seemed pretty tall and very thin, and he was dressed in, of all things, a suit! An old, thin, gray suit complete with a white shirt, tie and jacket. He bent over and looked at me before getting in. He told me later he wouldn't accept a ride with just anyone. Before my pride had a chance to feel his decision was based on anything of me, he let me know it was God who told him who he needed to ride with. It was scorching out, in the middle of the day without a cloud in the sky, and this elderly man stood by the side of the road, in his suit, waiting for God to tell him where he was needed.
 
He asked me a few questions and I told him I was going to see my parents. He asked me about my family, and I happened to mention my dad had recently had some surgery. He started talking about his relationship with God, what God could do for me and what God had meant to him. I had been professionally involved in church work back then for about 15 years. We were about 60 miles from Saginaw Michigan when I picked him up. He told me that he hitchhiked every day to tell people about Jesus. He hitchhiked to the John Deere store in a town right before Saginaw, and there he would get a ride back home everyday. I laughed at the time, but later I couldn't help but worry a little about him.

 

 I often think about him and wonder if he is still out there, in his 90’s by now. I look for him every time I go home.  I think about that old man wearing a suit on that sunny day, in the middle of nowhere, in overbearing heat, who just wanted to tell people about His Lord and what His Lord could do for them.

 

 Reading about Ananias reminded me again of Mr. James. He probably had just as many justifiable reasons not to leave the comfort of home and brave the unknown, but just as God said, “Go,” to Ananias, He said, “Go,” to Mr. James as well. Ananias greeted Saul with love, and Mr. James did the same for me.

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, I have in my past let fear get in my way. In truthfulness, I often let fear of the unknown hamper me. I pray that I will be willing to follow your command. I am powerless, but you are not, God. I give my fears to you this day. Help me to remember the times when you sent people to minister to me. Please, Jesus, no matter what I may be facing or what I may be feeling, help me to obey you when you say, “Go.”  Amen

 

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