Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'
-- John 14:6
By my office telephone, I keep a list of people to call. People who are in chronic conditions, often living alone and in need of encouragement. I used to post the list for "something to do" when I had a free moment in between appointments or dictating. But after a few calls, my reasons changed. I keep the list for my own encouragement. When I find myself rushing ahead, operating on automatic energy rather than the grace of God, I know it's time to stop, move to the phone, take a deep breath, and dial the number of a friend in need. Somehow, some way, when I hear that voice on the other end, when scriptures are shared, or hymns are sung over the lines, my office priorities straighten and my speed slows down.
It happened the other day when I called Bruce. He's new to his wheelchair. Lost his job. His wife just filed for divorce. Bruce's voice sounded tired from the hurt; my voice sounded tired from the hurry. We talked slowly, leaving lots of quiet spaces in between our sentences. As his heart quickened, my heart, thankfully, slowed - soon our heartbeats matched each other's as we talked, mused, reflected on and sang about our Lord Jesus. His hurt was eased; my hurry was quieted. All because we focused ourselves and centered our thoughts and sang our songs to... Jesus.
Often, gently pointing people to Jesus is the only thing that helps. Those who are hurting are like the crying child who looks up into his daddy's face and asks why. But the child doesn't really want answers; he wants Daddy to pick him up, reassure him, and comfort him. People in pain don't want a lot of words, they want the Word, the Word of flesh who felt the pang of death, too. He is the one, as I said to Bruce that day, who holds all the answers in His hands.
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Lord Jesus, when I encounter those who hurt, enable me to point them to You, the only one who can satisfy their longings, who can comfort them and soothe their fears. In so doing, I am blessed.
