Taking Time to Meet a Need

'This day you will be with me in paradise', Jesus said to the thief hanging on the cross beside him as He himself hung dying.

He had no thoughts of His own agony and pain as He Himself hung there on His cross dying. There was no place for self-pity, bitterness. He was there to fulfil His Father's will. He did not reject nor slight the thief that came to Him even when He was suffering at the last moments of His life. Jesus took time to show him the way back to God.

'Can't you see I have enough problems of my own?' This is what we might say or think to ourselves when someone seeks our help in times when we ourselves are in dire need of help. No, Jesus didn't turn him away. Neither did He look the other way. He took time to meet his need.

Kathryn took time to pray for Mabel her cousin from Singapore as she laid critically ill in the hospital. She mustered enough strength to lift up her hand to pray for Mabel's missions trip to visit an orphanage in India. There was no complaint of what she was going through. She took time to remember and celebrate my birthday in the hospital even as she was struggling with her condition. She took time to lead her brother and father to the Lord in her stricken condition. Even at her funeral wake, three persons gave their hearts to God.

We are called to serve and to meet a need even up to the last moments of our life. Just the other day someone came up to me and said, 'I dreamt of Kathryn last night, she looked very happy. Kathryn asked about my sister-in-law and whether she could talk to her about Christ'. Even in death she was still ministering.

Let's take the time to meet another's need.