Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Reflect
I was struck by one phase when I read through this passage. Jesus came into a village and some people started following him. It was 10 lepers. They were the social outcasts. There were laws about how close to people they could get. They were to warn others if they were approached by shouting out that they were lepers. Luke 17:12 says “they were keeping their distance.”
We know something now about having to keep our distance. We talk about social distancing. Our GA moderator, Shelia, suggested a different terminology that I have adopted. She suggested we should keep physical distance but be even more connected socially during these times. I agree wholeheartedly. How about giving someone a call or sending them a card. Jesus reached out to the lepers and healed them. Perhaps we can reach out and heal someone from loneliness or isolation. We are the hands and feet of God. People are starving to be connected with others during what has become a very prolonged period of physical distancing. Touch is a basic human need. Since we are not able to touch physically as we once did, then we need to make sure and connect with others emotionally and spiritually. Let’s be even more intentional in maintaining social connection. Call someone. Write someone.
Pray
Dear God, we not as connected with others now. Help us to stay connected with You. Help us to think creatively of ways to stay connected with friends and family. Help us to reach out to others who are disconnected and discouraged and even depressed. Amen
Go with God!
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