Start an Epidemic

We are drawn to our favorite people, those we like to spend time around. People who make us want to be a better person. This positive attitude and kind and gentle way is attractive. We want to enjoy time with them, we long to be more like them. We seek out ways to be near them. This is contagious living.

Jesus possessed this sort of disposition. Complete strangers drew close to Him. People listened to Him talk and wanted to spend hours in His presence. Even in a crowd of 5,000 or more, Jesus' character, and His teachings grew infectious. Once exposed, they wanted more.

Peter is one of those people who developed this infection. He prayed to his Lord while imprisoned, as did his friends. "So, Peter was kept in prison, but the church prayed to God for him." (Acts 12:5)

On the other side of this coin are those people we dodge. Those people who are disagreeable, who find fault with everything. They relish in, and thrive on, gossip. Once we recognize this personality type, we sidestep these people. Years ago, I was one of them. 

One day, I sensed there must be more to life than my self-absorbed world, and God's perfect timing turned my life around. The Holy Spirit stepped in and introduced me to the missing piece in my life, Christ. I was familiar with who Jesus was, but I didn't care...until I did. 

I became infected. An epidemic began in my life and the only cure--a healthy dose of Jesus and His Word.

Acts 12:5-11

Real Things

"For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:4)

When I look around at the world and wonder what is happening, I realize we have a heart condition. And it isn't a good one. Our hearts are closed, hardening, and self-serving. This may sound harsh and negative, but isn't it true? Don't we all want what we want when we want it?

How do we get over this type of thinking? How do we learn to hold on to our possessions with a loose grip? I know from experience that saving and planning and feeling that it will be okay, is a false feeling. At any moment it can all be taken away. We are all vulnerable to that unplanned illness, the economic downturn, the loss of a job. At any moment, that which we hold on to so tightly can be ripped from us.

But, you know what? We will survive because there is One who cares for us and who will always provide for us. Growing up with nothing tends to make us want to grab all we can.  Once we have experienced the grace of God reaching out His hand to help us get through a devastating trauma, or an evitction notice, it is easier to understand that 'things' are just that.  Things. In the grand scheme of life they don't matter at all.

It is the people around us who mater, those who take up space in our hearts are the real 'things'. Generosity can be contagious, let's spread it around.


Luke 21:1-4