Daily Devotions
Bring Them to Jesus
Reading for July 24th: Song of Solomon 1-8
Weekly reading for July 19-25: Matthew 10-14
"Bring them here to me."
Matthew 14:18
There was a time not too long ago when I felt I was in way over my head. It was a delicate family situation where hateful things were being said and it seemed like it could easily escalate to physical violence. (And if I were not present in the room, it probably would have.)
I was scared. I didn't know what to do.
So, given the fact that rational conversation was not possible, I called a timeout. I asked one of the two involved to go with me. We drove to a park a few miles away and sat down on a bench.
I didn't know what to say. Had I been trained to deal with situations like this? Was I equipped to handle this? How could I help this family?
I asked questions and listened. This went on for some time.
At some point I looked down at my Bible. We had not been discussing the scriptures. We were really just talking. But my Bible was opened to Matthew 14. The words in red seemed to jump off of the page. These were the words I read:
"They need not go away; you give them something to eat."
"Bring them here to me."
"Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
"Come."
"O you of little faith, why did you doubt."
I don't know how much I was able to help this family deal with all of their problems. But I was reminded that day sitting on a park bench, that I'm not the one who can fix the broken.
Because that's Jesus' job.
Father, help us to trust in you more and bring the broken to Jesus.
