RULE #14 - Be willing!

"I am willing," he said, "Be clean!" - Luke 5:13

READ LUKE 5:12-16 TODAY

     There was a man who not only had leprosy - he was COVERED with leprosy.  I'm not sure what that even means, but it can't be a good thing.  I picture a guy who looked pretty disgusting, probably felt pretty disgusting, and was told he was disgusting for a very long time.  From what I know about leprosy back in the day, this man's life was probably about as fun as Master Shifu's when he finds out Po is the Dragon Warrior (you gotta see Kung Fu Panda 2!)

      But, then he sees Jesus and says, "If you are willing you can make me clean."  Now, it would have been a pretty jerk move for Jesus to say, "No, I'm not willing!"  I think we all would have been a little surprised if Jesus would have said, "Well, actually, I'm kind of busy right now.  I could make you clean, but I'd rather you suffer."  

     However, don't we do that some times.  Someone asks us to do something (even something a little easier than healing leprosy) and we are not willing.  Someone needs our help, but we don't respond with a quick, "I am willing."  

     Jesus was always willing.  Part of the reason Jesus was so cool to people was that he was always willing to help.  If we're going to treat people the way He did, that's another great start!  

RULE #13: KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, witht eh people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. - Luke 5:1-2

READ LUKE 5:1-11 TODAY

     I wonder if Jesus knew that Peter would go on to lead His church.  I wonder if Jesus even knew before he picked out that boat that Jesus would be a disciple.  I wonder if Jesus was just looking for a way to get out of the crowd, or the whole time he had bigger things in mind.

     The cool thing is, for whatever the reason, while He was teaching the crowd - HE NOTICED THE BOATS!  Does that amaze anyone else?  I know when I'm teaching or speaking to a large crowd, I'm focused.  I'm thinking about what I'm going to say and what is coming next.  But, Jesus, notices the boats. 

     And those boats go on to carry some of his first disciples. 

     It's weird - I wonder how many times we miss little things that God could use to radically change people's lives.  Imagine if Jesus would not have noticed those boats.  Think Peter's life would have been a little different?

     Today, I'm going to make it a priority to notice my surroundings and think about what that might tell me about the people I'm with.  Who knows, maybe I'll get my first disciples.