Tripping Over God's Will

Acts 3:1-10

Peter and John were going up to the temple areafor the three o'clock hour of prayer.And a man crippled from birth was carriedand placed at the gate of the temple called "the Beautiful Gate" every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple.When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,he asked for alms.But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,and said, "Look at us."He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold,but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk."Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up,and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.He leaped up, stood, and walked around,and went into the temple with them,walking and jumping and praising God.When all the people saw him walking and praising God,they recognized him as the onewho used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple,and they were filled with amazement and astonishmentat what had happened to him.

I read this and part of me is bummed. I wished I was the type that God would work through and heal people. When I have failed at this I think there is something wrong with me, or my faith or something. There is just so much pain in the world and to see people with joy from being healed... well it just seems like it would help spread God's word and make the world a better place. But the thing that does inspire me here is that Peter and John were looking. I can do that. I can look for people to help. For a while I got frustrated with music because I seemed to only be writing the same kind of songs. I actually walked away from writing. Then I realized that I was writing rather self-centered. Recently I started looking at the Bible and scriptures that I read everyday. I started putting myself in those stories and living them. What if I was a bystander here? What if I was this guy or one of the apostles? The point I am quickly getting away from here is that I think God wants me looking outward not inward. Duh, I know but for me recently it is a revelation. How can I help others through my music? How can I use the experiences that my music affords me to evangelize? The questions are endless and the answers coming in are so exciting.

Jesus,

I am a small, shallow sinful man. I need your help to become better. I want to love like you. I want to share my love that you give me. I don't want to be a rich rock star anymore. I want to do your will and help you heal this broken world. I know it won't be me doing the healing, it will be you, and that's the way it should be. You should get credit for everything good in this world. Thank you for taking time with me. This life you have given me is so amazing. I can't wait for the day that I can sit at your feet and learn from you in person. I LOVE YOU JESUS, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen