The story came out over the news not too long ago about a mountain climber who,
while trying to climb Everest, was left for dead. His team continued on without him.
Other climbing teams passed by the man, believing him a lost cause. One group
stopped to see what they could do. They found the man with no hat, no gloves.
But, he was still alive. The team that stopped to help, spent (by some reports)
more than 4 hours trying to work with him. They tried to enlist the help of,
at least, one other team who told them they did not speak English. A fact that
was later found to be false.
You can't help but equate this to Bible stories. Now, I know what some of you
are thinking. It sounds like the story of the good Samaritan, doesn't it? The man,
beaten and robbed and left for dead. People passing by, trying not to get involved,
until the Samaritan stops and helps. Even goes above and beyond. But this is not
exactly where I want to look.
Acts 8:1 says, "Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution
arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout
the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles."
It continues to tell of the persecution of the church by Saul. I am certain that they were
those, even in the church, that felt Saul was beyond help. In essence, they left him for
dead. But, the Lord knew differently. Acts 9:4-6 records the situation for us.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you
persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick
against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you
must do.”
The Lord, as the continuing example of who we are supposed to be, took the time to
show Saul the way. He sees us not as a crowd of people, but as individual souls. Souls
in deep need of salvation! Souls in need of the truth!
As you travel through you day, pay attention to those around you. Pay attention to those
who have been left along the trail.
Have a great day!
