1/17/09 Matthew 20
What do you want me to do?
(Mt 20:32)32And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
This is a question that Jesus asked two blind men upon leaving Jericho. Now I find myself asking Jesus the same question. Being made aware of those desperate conditions in Haiti, as a result of the earthquake this past Tuesday, my heart asks the same question to the Lord “What do you want me to do?” It is amazing that Jesus asks this question, because it is apparent what the need is, but he makes them specifically request their desire. So now I ask the question of Jesus, because it is apparent what the needs are, but how do I best meet those needs. The specific requests come from the reporters that are on the ground. There are thousands who are without food and water, who are now widows, who are now orphans, who are now childless, who are now homeless, and who are poorer than before. One thing that I can do right now is to cry out, as the blind men did, for the Lord to have mercy upon them.
The next thing that I can do is be generous as the rich landowner is in the parable that begins Mt 20. Our family plans to give to meet some of the physical needs and possibly that the message of the cross may be brought to a soul that is searching for stability where chaos has erupted.
Father, Creator, you have allowed the crust of the earth to move violently in Haiti and I wonder why there and not here? You ways are higher and greater and purer than mine, so I would be wrong to accuse you of any injustice, but I am humbled by your actions. I also cry out to you, to show abundant mercy upon those who are in great physical need. I also pray that your mercy and grace and the message of the cross will move more swiftly through hearts, than the earthquake moved through homes. I pray for your mercy, goodness, and patience, to be realized by the poor, needy, ill, widow, orphan, and homeless. Give your laborers in that field efficiency and boldness to proclaim the gospel. I ask you to lead me in what to do, beyond my initial steps of praying and giving. My earnest desire is that you would be glorified in hearts and lives that are affected by this, which includes me. In Jesus Amen.