Two Scripture passages stuck out to me more than all the others we read during the weekend. They are in Acts 3 and Mark 2. In Acts 3, Peter and John interact with a man begging at the temple gate. He asks them for the money, but they have none. Instead of brushing him off and passing him by, they enter into a conversation with him. And while they have no money to offer, they share what they do have; they share Jesus through physical healing. I've been searching my heart for the various things I have to offer. I can offer Jesus, yes. But through what means? I can give my time by playing games, engaging in conversation, or merely sitting with someone so he or she doesn't have to sit alone. I can offer an education by implementing new strategies and adaptations. I can give empathy and friendship.
If I were to sum up the message I took from the conference it would be this:
God is looking for people of faith who are willing to overcome
all of the obstacles to bring people with special needs to Him.
Mark 2:1-5 talks about a man who was paralyzed. His friends literally cut a hole in the roof to be able to drop this man at Jesus' feet. I was thinking about this story. The man who was paralyzed had probably heard of Jesus; he may have even known some of His teachings. But if it weren't for his friends and their radical actions, the man who was paralyzed most likely would never have had a personal encounter with Jesus. I want to be like these friends. I want to take advantage of the opportunities I have to work around the obstacles and bring a friend that much closer to Jesus.
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