A beggar at the feet of the Cross

It's Easter time again!

With Jeanie Hunt and Sisi Fale, Christmas at the Park 2011,
 LifeChurch Manurewa

Has anything changed in your life since last Easter?

We're in a season of resurrection and God is ushering in new things into our lives!

For the last 5 months, I've had many opportunities to share the Gospel and pray for beggars on the streets. People who ask for money are always in an open place, visible to the people passing through. You couldn't miss them unless you were in a hurry or unless you choose to ignore them. Beggars are at the mercy of others for their next meal. They are subject to rejection, judgments and mistreatment by people. How sad it is to think of someone begging for days before someone drops into the hat in-front of them the coins that would bring the long awaited meal.

I believe God has placed these people in our path for a reason. Not only that we would help them, but also to remind us that we are all beggars. I was truly humbled to find out that there was a time when I too was a beggar at the feet of the throne of grace asking for mercy, begging for the forgiveness of my sins.

We are all familiar with the story of Bartimaeus the blind man, (Mark 10:46-52). Bartimaeus had been begging when Jesus was passing through. The Bible says many people rebuked him and told him to be quiet but he shouted all the more, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." And when Jesus heard him he said "Call him". Bartimaeus' sight was restored and he received healing because of his faith.

What is lacking in your life right now and you haven't asked God for it? There are times when we face discouragement, when people try to silence us and shut us down. There are times when we try to do things on our own strength and we get nowhere. Or we look to others and find that we are just like beggars who beg from others to meet our needs.

On this Resurrection season, Jesus is passing by. He is calling... asking, "What do you want me to do for you"? In verse 51, Bartimaeus said, "Rabbi, I want to see". Jesus said, "Go, your faith has healed you" (verse 52).

God bless you this Easter time!

A word of prayer from Psalm 51:1-2 :

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  

 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

In Jesus Name, Amen.