When was the last time you shouted in public?
When I was a youth pastor in Denver Colorado I had this group of kids who were completely unashamed. I loved it. I remember one weekend retreat in the mountains. We were walking around the camp with guitars in our hands shouting a song at the top of our lungs and the whole gang was totally going for it. The amazing thing about this group was they would do this in public as well. Another time downtown Boulder we had the guitars out again and we were singing and shouting for the whole street to hear. One of the guys who had some low blood sugar issues went to get some pizza. He sat down next to a guy to eat and while they were sitting there the student asked this random stranger what he thought of those crazy Christians out there singing. These kids were just bold and it was awesome.
I sit here writing this trying to remember the last time I sang at the top of my lungs let alone outside on a public street. It has been a while I have to admit. I might sing at the top of my mind while driving or something, but it has been a while sense it has come out, and a really long time sense anyone else has heard it.
In Luke 18 there is a story of Jesus healing a blind man. When the man hears Jesus is coming by he starts to shout. The people around Jesus try to shut him up. He shouts all the louder. Jesus hears him and comes to him. Jesus heals him and now the man is following Jesus shouting praises to God and everyone else joins in as well. I wonder, do we shut down the praise of God sometimes because we shut down those who are seeking him?
The crowd was not praising God before the healing, they were just walking along following Jesus trying to be a part of what was happening. They even tried to stop the blind man from calling out. That's not proper it's not right do disturb the master. This happens earlier in the passage as well. People are bringing their children to Jesus and the disciples try to send them away. Don't disturb the master he has a lot to do he is too busy for you.
Its no wonder we don't come to God more often in our lives. We are always to busy for others so why wouldn't the God of the universe be to busy for us. He has a lot on his plate after all. But he's not to busy for his children. He wants them near, he wants to bless them, hear their cries, and heal them.
God isn't too busy for you.
I pray we would learn to follow Jesus in this as well. I pray we wouldn't be found too busy or too important to stop for the children and for those in need. I am often caught in this, running too and fro and not taking the time to stop, listen, care, and possibly help someone.
May we know God isn't to busy for us today, and may we also not be to busy for others. May we accept the care Jesus wants to give to us and in turn extend the same care to those around us. And when we meet with God and he with us, may our praise ring out for all to hear and know what he has done!
God isn't to busy, are you?
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