May I help you?
Let's start in the 1945. The late Rev A.C.
Smith of
A small boy stood on the seats of a pew and
spoke up saying, "When he knows right from wrong, when he reaches the age
of accountability."
"That's right," said Rev. Smith.
Sometimes kids are bolder than adults.
That young boy knew the words, but it would be
another 7 years before he would know the Word. There are so many, far too many
Church members who know the words, but are not personally acquainted with the
Word.
Now, let's go ahead to 1952, the same Church.
This time an English Evangelist was preaching. That same young boy was now 12.
When the call for a show of hands by those
who wanted to receive Christ was given, the lad responded by raising his hand.
However, as the invitation song was sung, he froze.
Suddenly, he felt the touch of a warm hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and
there was the Evangelist's wife.
She said, "May I help you?"
The young boy looked up and replied,
"I sure would appreciate that."
That night they walked together to the front
of that Church so he could acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
Over three decades later, that young boy, now grown, sat in a revival meeting
of another Church in another state. This time an Evangelist from
As the alter call was given, he looked around
and saw a young woman. She obviously wanted to go forward and acknowledge
Christ as her Savior.
There was only one problem. She had broken
her leg and could not walk without the use of her crutches. They had been
placed under her chair in manner that prevented her from reaching them.
As the man looked around, there were many
people closer to her than he. So, he prayed, "Dear Lord, send some one to
help her."
A sweet inner voice responded, "Why
don't you go?"
The man walked across the sanctuary, and
reached down to touch her shoulder.
He asked, "May I help you?"
She responded, "I sure would
appreciate that."
That night they walked together to the front
of that Church so she could acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
What the world sees as problems, Christ sees
as opportunities.
That night the young woman was "born
again." She was now a child.
Chronologically she was in her 20's.
Spiritually she was a child, just as the man had been years before.
"I" learned a lot about God's love
that day. He allows us to repay in ways that cannot be imagined.
God wants us to mature. However, one
year's spiritual growth repeated 20 times does not result in 20 year's of
spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity comes with building a relationship
with Christ.
Look around for your opportunity to help some
person come to Christ. Seeing opportunity where others see problems is what
Christians do best.
Now, let me ask an important question.
(The answer lies within you.)
Are you still repeating the first year's
spiritual growth?
If so, move out of your spiritual comfort
zone and into maturity in Christ.