Thought for the day
The author of the following article is unknown to me:
"During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:
'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
"I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade."'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.'
"I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy."
When you look at the life of Jesus, one of the things that stands out is the value Jesus placed on people. He didn't just see everybody as a mass of humanity; he made an effort to know people on an individual basis. And as he came to know them, he acknowledged and met their needs.
The story of Zacchaeus is typical of so many of Jesus' encounters: "Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' " (Luke 19:2-4).
People deserve our attention and care, even those people who may seem to be "insignificant". By the way, do you know the name of the person who cleans your school or workplace? If not, I encourage you to find out.
Verses
Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not lose the courage that you had in the past. It has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised.
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Matthew 12:34
"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
John 14:14
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Romans 5:17
For if, through that one person's transgression, death is king through that person, far more surely will those who receive the overflowing of grace and the gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Jesus, we place our hope in You knowing that You direct our paths this day. There is much on our hearts that we are praying about and believing that You will answer. But our faith and joy do not depend only upon Your answering our prayers, but rather the marvelous work that You have done and are doing in our lives. You’ve forgiven us our sins and You’ve written our names in the Lamb’s book of life. May we be joyful in You and the ongoing work You are doing in the spiritual realm, invisible to our eyes and the eyes of others, but very much alive in our spirit. As we allow You to do Your inner work the outflowing fruit in our lives will reveal the changes You make within us. We thank You for it in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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