While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” Mark 5:35
Several years ago, a teacher working in a children’s hospital was asked to visit a boy in the burn unit. His regular teacher had called with the request, “We’re studying nouns and adverbs. I’d be grateful if you could help him with his homework so he doesn’t fall too far behind the others.” The teacher went, but wasn’t prepared for what she found. The boy was bandaged and in pain. She said, as softly as she could, “I’m the hospital teacher. Your teacher at school asked me to help you with your nouns and adverbs.”
The next day a nurse asked, “What did you do to that boy?” Before the teacher could offer her apologies for being uncomfortable and unprepared, the nurse continued, “We were worried about him. But ever since you visited, his entire outlook has changed. For the first time he’s actually fighting. He’s responding. He’s got a new lease on life.”
What had happened? The boy had given up. He had felt hopeless and helpless. But then he realized, “The school wouldn’t waste its time and concern by sending a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?”
Maybe you, like that boy, have given up. Perhaps your moment of misery came with the death of a person, a dream, a hope, or a vision. Maybe a loved one deceived you or a friend deserted you. Hopelessness or helplessness can come any number of ways. Did you go to God, or did you say: “Why bother God? What can He do? This is my problem.”
There are only two reasons you would feel that way. First, you believe the situation is beyond God’s help; you have concluded your hurt is untouchable. The second reason you might not bother God is you think you’re too small for Him to care. You think since everyone has forgotten you that God has, too. If you hold to either of those opinions, you are wrong. God does care and He can bring about change in your life. He, who gave His Son to die for you, who has already rescued you from sin, death, and devil, can save you from this problem as well. So why bother God? Because He is the only one who can bring you from darkness to light, from pain to peace. Trust Him.
Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour sermon preached on July 20, 2003
THE PRAYER: Lord, I humbly submit to you today to ask for Your forgiveness for thinking that there is any situation beyond Your power. I give all of my problems, complaints, and burdens to You. You are the only one who can solve it. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 4-6 Matthew 24:29-51
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