Recognizing an Honorable Man Who Chose to Do Right *

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Romans 12:1-2a The Message Bible

This past weekend, a young woman was killed in a terrible car accident that wasn't her fault. Why? I have no idea. I'm not God. However, I know God was there. Thank God there are people who quickly respond to what He wants them to do. A man named Patrick McCabe wrote the following on Facebook. I don't know Mr. McCabe, but I thank God he listened to the leading of the Holy Spirit this past Saturday.

On January 24, 2015, Mr. McCabe wrote:

"Life is choices, today choosing to go to Food Town instead of Walmart for groceries. Upon finishing my duties of filling the shelves of my house and emptying the Food Town shelves, I chose to turn right to go home instead of the quick way home by turning left. I chose to turn on Canada Street to go to Fairmont Parkway and take the long way home. While approaching the light at Fairmont, a most horrific accident took place. My first thought was to go the other way as fast as I could to get away but I chose to run up to the cars of which one was on fire and a person was trapped inside. I chose to help as others were trying to extinguish the fire, I was checking on the person in the vehicle. It was obvious to me that that soul was in the process of leaving our realm and was traveling to the next plateau. I chose to hold the hand of this soul while others were extinguishing the flames and prayed that the passage to Heaven would be a wonderful experience and that no one should go on alone without a gift of a small prayer. From my past experiences, I am praying for this person's family and all that were touched by this soul while here on earth. I am continuously running this through my mind and wonder if there was any more i could have done. I am hoping that I helped the soul of this victim attain the Peace that is awaiting all of us at the moment we are called Home. God Bless all of those who made the choice to stop and help."

What a comfort it is for those of us who know the family. And unspeakable thanks to those who rescued her baby.

Prayer:

Father,
           Please comfort Susan and Kenny and the baby as only You can. Reveal Yourself, O God, and please bless all those who stopped to help. We pray that You heal their hearts and minds and free them from the mental images of the tragedy they witnessed. Bring Your Peace, Father, the only kind that passes all understanding. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Obey and Follow

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV

Anyone can believe - Scripture tells us even the demons believe and tremble - but not everyone will FOLLOW Christ as He follows God's leading. The way is hard, but the Word says He makes our crooked ways straight. 

Our text for today encourages us to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He did not tell us, Go get started. Run the race. Let Me know how you do. No, He wrote the story and He'll finish it. Our job is to follow and be obedient. Not fix it on our own, not finish on our own, not flounder along the way. 

We are to obey and follow. Not question, not quit, nor quake in fear at what we cannot possibly do without God's help. Obey and follow. Follow in His footsteps. He goes before us and makes the crooked path straight. Our job is to trust, obey and follow.

He finishes. We will finish with Him. We will win because He has already won.

Prayer:

Father,

        Teach us to trust and obey and to follow You instead of trying to lead You all over our wilderness-in-the-making. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen