By Staff
Rev. Jack Fitts Pastor of First Baptist Church of Brewton
A man and his wife were in bed one night when they heard a knocking on their front door. The man rolled over and looked at the clock. "It's 3:30 a.m." he said. "I'm not getting out of bed now."
He rolled over to go back to sleep but the knocking continued. A moment later, the knocking became louder. "Aren't you going to answer that?" asked his wife. The man sighed and dragged himself out of bed and trudged downstairs. He opened the door to see a man standing there, obviously drunk. "Hi there," slurred the stranger. "Can you give me a push?" The man grumbled, "Get lost, it's half past three in the morning." He closed the door and went back up to bed and told his wife what had happened.
So the man got out of bed again, put his shoes on, and went back downstairs. He opened the door, and the stranger was no longer standing there. He looked around and couldn't see him, so he shouted, "Hey, are you there? Do you still need a push?" A reply from the darkness came, "Yeah, please." The man looked all around but couldn't find him. He asked louder, "where are you?" After a pause, the unexpected guest replied, "I'm over here on your swing."
Some people are more worthy of a little push, right? Some people are easier to help.
I admit that there are times I am more reluctant to help individuals who are undeserving in my estimation.
As a matter of fact, in my entire ministry I cannot recall having ever received a thank you note or the "promised repayment" of funds or benevolent assistance. It has often times made me more cynical, less trusting and less willing to help. How about you?
I am grateful however, to know that the grace of God is defined and demonstrated as undeserved favors. We have had a supernatural benevolence made available to all of us that is completely undeserved. None of us are worthy by our looks, deeds, or positions or possessions. Yet the love of God has been commended to us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). He gave us unconditioned love. He gave us the push we needed. Oh, to be more like Him.
Being a good steward is one thing. But withholding a little push is another matter indeed.
Anybody you know who needs a push today?