Damsel in Distress
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Damsel in Distress
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Benoni Bulletin 120807 "Damsel in Distress"DAMSEL IN DISTRESSIt happened some years ago. The sky looked dark and threatening. The black clouds were obviously heavily-laden with moisture. Flash floods had been forecast. Suddenly in the northern sky a spectacular double rainbow tempered the angry sky. "Wow, just look at that double rainbow. That's a first for me," Donna declared. We were traveling east on the Interstate from Junction toward Kerrville. Minutes earlier, I had made an appeal for funds for SABC at the local congregation. While our eyes were peeled on the fascinating phenomenon in the northern sky, we missed a damsel in distress on the southern side of the highway. Her car had broken down and we were her hope for a swift solution. "Ah, I see a car approaching," she must have thought, "I will just flag them down and . . . .". "Zooooom," roared the van passed her. Her dream turned into a momentary nightmare! Fortunately, help came from another source for that dear little Christian sister. Abject apologies followed the discovery of our major faux pas. In memory of our goof-up, we call her our "Rainbow Girl." Now every time we see a rainbow, we always remember Karen. Then we quickly scan the area to see if we might be missing some other damsel in distress! Jesus always maintained his focus. He never forgot his mission. He went about "doing good," Acts 10:38. He helped many damsels in distress during his earthly ministry. He intervened in the burial service of the widow of Nain's son and "gave him back to his mother," Luke 7:15. He gave a condemned woman a new lease on life by inviting any sinless man to be the first to stone her, John 8:7-11. They quickly melted away. He brought comfort and a spectacular remedy to the bereaved Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died, John 11: 17-43. He calmed Martha's anxiety in a domestic squabble regarding her sister's non-participation in the kitchen, Luke 10:38-42. He defended the mothers of Jerusalem against his own protective disciples when the moms brought their little children to him for a blessing, Matthew 19:13-15. He showed the value of a widow's meager offering, Luke 21:1-4. He even made arrangements for his mother's well-being when he was on His way to death on the Cross, John 19:26-27. No wonder women displayed the most loyalty at the foot of the cross. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list but Jesus would never have left anyone by the side of the road when they needed help. He was the "original" Good Samaritan. He certainly was the Good Shepherd, John 10:11,14. Have you ever noticed how prevalent human need is? Or have you just zoomed on by with your attention distracted by some other rather trivial matter? A little boy had been taken to stand beside the road to see the king passing by in a parade. He was very excited. This was a rare moment. The delay in the arrival of the king, however, tired the little chap. Then a couple of hostile dogs engaged each other in a noisy battle for supremacy. The little boy was fascinated and absorbed by the marauding mutts. While his attention was distracted, the king came and went. The boy missed it. He missed the very reason for his protracted wait. Have you ever done that? Have you ever missed an opportunity to serve humanity in some positive way? We need to imitate our Master's beneficent spirit, 1 Peter 2:21. We have to develop a sensitivity to human need. We should never just look upwards when we ought to look outwards. We should never fancy ourselves as being so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly-good. Rainbows are utterly delightful, but human need is urgently demanding. We serve the Master by serving his creatures. Let's reach out to those who need us. Love you all, |
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