Putting God First - Shhhhh

Have you ever been told a secret and then blabbed it to someone else? Have you ever shared your secret with someone and then found out that they told someone else? Remember the feelings from when that happened?

In the first situation there is something exciting about being able to tell someone something they didn't know. You can feel somewhat powerful. If you get away with it you might even think it did no harm. But we never "get away" with it, do we. God always knows. And what if it back fires and the person who trusted you found out what you did. AND then they confront you about it. Ever have that happen? Sadly I must confess I have. I still remember that feeling like it was yesterday. I never want to experience that again.

Then what about when you were the one who shared something and was betrayed by someone who didn't keep your secret. Remember those feelings. Quite different from the situation above. Hurt replaces shame. Anger replaces embarrassment. Sometimes friendships can be destroyed.

Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.

There are a number of things that strike me about these Bible verses. However, the part that hits me the most is that Jesus instructed this man to NOT tell others about the healing that He did. But the man could not be silent. His life was changed forever as a result of God in Flesh touching him, having compassion on him and healing him. He knew this was a miracle and he knew that the man who performed it had told him to tell no one. Yet he told everyone who would listen. Jesus knew this would happen and yet used the situation to bring glory to God. He didn't strike the man dead or shame him, even though his telling others meant more crowds of people trying to find Jesus. No, Jesus forgives.

I think about this man who must have wondered if he told others about what Jesus did would Jesus make him sick again? Or maybe he never wondered that at all. Maybe he was just caught up in the moment. This secret was just too good to keep and so he risked it all and told everyone who would listen about this Jesus and what he had done. Why? Because his life was forever changed by this one encounter with the Son of God.

Today God continues to change lives and now He instructs (or is it a “strong warning”) us to go spread the Good News; but how often do we just stay silent. Interesting. When our lives our profoundly changed by God we might tell a person or two but rarely will someone in this culture tell "everyone" they meet. No, talking about God or what He has done in our lives is not politically correct so we risk nothing and stay silent. This must make God sad. This must speak to God's infinite patience with us. When he says "be silent" we talk, when he says "talk" we are silent. Hmmmm


Dear Heavenly Father,
Make me more like the man who had leprosy. Fan a flame of desire in me that is so strong I can't ignore it. Allow me to share what you have done in my life and may I never stay silent on it. You Lord God changed my life and my heart and it is with unending gratitude that I desire to serve you. May I never make you sad by missing an opportunity you give me to share what you've done with others. Open my eyes and my ears. Help me to focus on the true need that lies in each person you allow me to have contact with. As You had compassion on the outcasts of society may I also have compassion on those that our society considers of little or no value. Allow me to shine light in the darkness. Guide me in all wisdom and let my voice be heard. Not to bring me into the spotlight or on center stage Lord, but so that others will see past me directly to you. The only one who can change lives. Thank you God that you have called me to speak for those in the womb who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you God that you allow me the privilege of working with men and women who have been deeply hurt by abortion. Thank you that you provide those holy moments where I can see you changing a life that was once lost in darkness. Never let me forget how much you have done for me. AMEN