“ONE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 643

August 8, 2023///

I want to share with you the story of the way “Metro World Child” started. It was founded by BILL WILSON in 1980 to reach the inner-city children of New York. It has spread from that to other cities and countries, now reaching about 250,000 kids a week in 13 countries.

I want you to understand what a difference one Christian operating in the Love of Jesus, can make in our world!

“Abandoned on a street corner by his mother at the age of 12, young Bill sat and waited for her on that corner; he waited 3 days, but she never came back for him.  A Christian man who was on his way to see his son in the hospital stopped and asked him if he was ok.  Anybody could have stopped, but thankfully it was a Christian man who did. 

After getting him some food, this man then paid for Bill to attend a Sunday School camp.  Never having heard the message of the Gospel before, that summer camp is where Bill first heard about Jesus.  Nobody would pray for him at the altar because of how badly he looked and smelled, so all alone he attempted his own prayer to God saying, “My mother doesn’t want me; the Christians don’t want me, but if you want me, here I am.”  That was the start of his own personal relationship with Jesus and his incredible walk with God.”

This beginning of an incredible life story, of one whose faithfulness has changed lives that would otherwise be lost to gangs and rebellions and murders and prisons, never fails to move me to tears.

“Dave Rudenis, a local mechanic and committed Christian, found him there and took him to his home.”

AS I write this, the tears are falling as I realize, one person, committed to God, working in their job, and going about their daily task, took time out for the one!

Would, or do we?

I weep when I think of the ones out there who are longing for someone to care!

Maybe they are ready to join a gang because they want to feel they belong and matter!

Maybe they are medicating with drugs or alcohol because it numbs the pain!

Maybe they have to run and hide from an abusive parent or have a stomach that growls with hunger.

Or maybe they live in a fancy neighborhood with a room of their own and all the wonders money can buy, but they have a void inside that nothing seems to help and so they reach out to the gangs or groups who will offer them the numbness of drugs.

But maybe they are in our neighborhood, or our church or our children’s schools and they are abandoned in their mind and spirit and are looking for answers.

They may be young or old, trying to find joy in success, others, things, or rebellion, but all need the same thing!

THEY NEED THOSE WHO REALLY KNOW JESUS TO STOP FOR THE ONE. TO GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO REALLY LISTEN OR INTERVENE OR HELP.

JESUS SAID:

Matthew 25:40 (KJV)
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

We see all through Jesus’ time on earth how He always had time for the one!

Matthew 25:40 is not limited to children, although that is who tears have been for this morning; it concerns those who are needed in all things. Spirit, soul, and body.

Will we stop for the one!

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Father, I come in Jesus’s name and thank you that you had time to stop for me, to redeem me and set me free from and free to be all you have planned for me. I ask you to forgive me and each one who reads this when we get to set in our agenda to stop for the one or even to listen to your still small voice that tells us to stop or what to do to help. Forgive us when we do not want to leave our comfort zone. Lord help us show the children within our reach the real Jesus who cares and stops for the one! Let us be your hand extended to the least of these. Amen!

Love, MeMaw