February 21 God Sent You Here

John 8:28-29 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
 
ARE you sent? Have you ever thought that where you are at a moment of any day is because God has sent you there? Do you know you are reading this because God sent you here? Where he sends you can be for your benefit or for others’ – and always for his.
   For example, you may be in a grocery store, at the market, and a mother is having trouble with two toddlers. She could use some help for a moment to settle the circumstances. Do you say, “May I help you?”
   What happens when you do help? Your purpose was to give her relief, a moment’s rest. God sent you into that meeting at that time to be a helper, to serve someone’s need.
   Now you have an opportunity to love Jesus and love others. When she says, “You’re so kind.” You say, “It’s not me. It’s really my Lord Jesus in my life. The Bible tells me Jesus was very kind to people in need. I simply am doing what he has shown the world. It’s not me. I’m here to help because my Good Shepherd led me here.”
   John repeatedly records Jesus’ teaching how he, the Son of God, had come in the Father’s will to show the Father’s love, justice and mercy to the world. Jesus is your model for showing God to the world.
   Yes, you are sent in the Father’s will some place each day to do God’s work. Joyfully, a Christ-follower gets to go where the Spirit of Christ sends you. Be an eager messenger of the great love Jesus has shown to you and the world. Remember, the Son always did what pleased the Father. Go and do likewise. Please the God who has saved you.
 
Prayer: Guide me, Holy Spirit, into the places the Father sends me. Help me to submit to and follow the Good Shepherd. Amen.