Day 20, 20th September: Genesis, Matthew, Proverbs
The Now moments…
Andy Croft
Today’s readings:
Genesis 40:1-41:40
Matthew 14:1-21
Proverbs 2:12-22
It’s my goal in life to be used by God. I’m always ready to be used by Him. Apart from if I’m really tired; or if I’m busy; or if I’m just taking some time to relax; or I’m hungry; or if I’m feeling a bit low; or if I need the toilet very urgently…
Maybe you know what I’m talking about. We say ‘Great I want to be used!’ But then when there’s a chance, a small opening, someone who needs our help or someone to love, ‘not right now God I don’t have the energy,’ ‘not now I’ve got a loads of homework,’ ‘maybe tomorrow it’s been a rough day.’
Because he’s merciful God still uses us when we do choose to go for it – but have you ever wondered how much more we’d see him do if, a few more times a day we found ourselves saying, ‘I am too busy – but stuff it, I’ll do it right now!’
How often do we let what’s going on in the big picture of our lives stop us from being used in the now moments? Joseph and Jesus show us a better way of doing things.
By being faithful to God and resisting Mrs Potiphar Joseph found himself in prison. He had good reason to be miserable. If I’d been him and the cupbearer and baker had mentioned their dreams I probably would have kept my mouth shut. ‘It’s been a rough few years; I might sit this one out.’ But Joseph spots and opportunity to be used by God and he’s eager for it, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Gen 40:8) Another two whole years follow in prison until Pharaoh’s dreams but again Joseph is ready. There’s no ‘not now Pharaoh, I’ll wait until I’m living in a palace…’
Jesus does the same. He’s just heard that his cousin John the Baptist has been murdered by Herod and he withdraws from everyone, probably to give himself some space to be sad and pray. If ever there was a time to take a bit of a break from the miracles and the preaching it was then. But when the crowd arrive he doesn’t say ‘not now’. He has compassion, he heals them and then when he has a good excuse to send them away (so they can find food) he does the opposite – he feeds them himself.
The only times we’ll ever be used by God are the now moments. The more of those now moments we grab the more miracles we’ll see.
Whatever’s going on, always be ready to be used.
