You've Been Served

Nobody wants a ticket; especially a speeding ticket that was given in a district 3 hours from where you live. I didn't know what the speed limit was when I was driving down the highway. Apparently it dropped 10 mph where I got pulled over. Anyways I got my ticket and court date and moved on.

The day before my court date I had to work really late, so I had a decision to make. I decided to drive down that night and check into a hotel close by so all I had to do was drive ten minutes when I woke up instead of 3 hours. Prior to leaving I went to the gas station and bought what seemed like enough food to feed a small army (I like to eat a lot...don’t judge). Needless to say I had plenty to satisfy me for the duration of the trip there and with some to spare. I checked in the hotel and was able to get about 4-5 hours of sleep before “judgement day”. Even though my plan to be there on time was a success, there was no getting around the sleep deprivation. I wasn’t in the best of moods and felt like the most unlucky kid in the world. It wasn’t until I got to the courthouse that everything changed for the better.

I got out of the car and had to walk nearly a quarter mile to the courthouse from their parking lot. When I got inside I had to go through the security line. I gave them my belongings to look through and gave me the worst attitude about my cell phone (didn't know it was a problem SORRY). So I had to walk ALL the way back (still tired and cranky mind you) to put it in my car. While I was closing the car door I notice an older man walking towards me. After he approached me I found out that he was homeless. He was trying to ask me something but he was very hard to understand.  He mumbled to me for a little bit I assumed he wanted some change but then I heard him say “and I’m hungry” at the end of his request while rubbing his belly.

I’m about to go into court and plead guilty for speeding, probably get a hefty fine, and then get some unneeded points on my license and all this homeless man wants is some food. I didn’t think much of it. So I gave him a few bags of chips and a soda from the remaining supply of food in my car. He gave me the biggest smile that showed the limited amount of teeth in his mouth and went on.

Afterwards I went through the torturous process of waiting for your name to be called before the judge so they can decide your fate. 45 minutes later I was the last person in the courtroom, but they never called my name. The judge finally looks at me confusingly and says “state your name and business”. I gave them my ticket expecting the worst.

With no prior knowledge, the judge took his time with the ticket and then looked at me and said “consider this your lucky day” and voided my violation! Shocked in the moment I realized that this was no coincidence. I was meant to learn from this day. I believe with all my heart that God was testing my willingness to serve. With the fate of the world coming down God gave me the opportunity to give graciously to His people and by doing so serving God. After that day I understood how rewarding serving an almighty and merciful God like ours. It just goes to show that God can use anything or anyone...like a homeless man to give food to.

The moral of this long but very true story is underlined in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Once you read it you’ll understand how God is fulfilling another one of His gracious promises to us. The “judge” could have easily convicted me of the charges against me but He decided to cut me a break. 

When we serve God, He will do so to us more than we deserve...because He loves us so!

The Cure

Hospitals can be very depressing. Whether you’re a patient, visitor, or doctor hospitals play the game of life and death. If you've ever walked around one and peek inside the rooms you’ll see people crying and patients suffering or with little hope. After my last admission into one my perception of them has changed forever. During my stay I was told to walk around in order for my body to aid in the healing process. Luckily I had a visitor to talk to when it hit me.

My friend looked into a few rooms almost naturally. She couldn’t bear to watch the people in pain, wanting life over death. She turned and told me how much this place depressed her and how she only came to visit. That made me discover the meaning behind our faith! “The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” Psalm 41:3. That hospital, like many others, is the symbol of those who are yearning for life and to be free of sickness. God is the cure to all sickness! He gave life to all who want it. He sent his one and only son to die on the cross so He knew and understood our suffering so He could provide us with the the cure for it!

Although when you think of a hospital you may, like I mentioned, think of negative annotations there are also many positive ones too. My visitors during my visit were there to cheer me up and wish for my good health. Even though I may have life I still will become sick and endure hardship. That is why I have people to support and help me along the way, my visitors and doctors, as I continue to use the ultimate resource to conquer any illness. What I love about doctors is that they have to go through an extensive amount of teaching, training, and hardship that only so many people can do in order to become God’s healers. They’re not the cure but they’re His tools so He can administer the cure.

The church is the perfect example of a hospital full of broken and sick people. People come for life and healing. We take our medicine and come back next week. Some need more medical attention than others. But just like any severity of pain it will take time and will become a process of healing. Other than the symbolism that came out of a simple walk, the actual experience of watching people from the outside their rooms felt unimaginable knowing that their pain can result in death if not treated properly. 

So after the doctor examines you will they find out that YOU are sick?