Do What You Are Given

Scripture References: Jeremiah 36:16-17, 23-24; Acts 16:9-10

Actor Jamie Farr played the high-heeled, cigar-chomping Corporal Klinger in M.A.S.H. About two hundred fans attended the ceremony when he was added to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Few knew that he was originally hired for one day’s work as a phony transvestite bucking for a section-eight discharge, granted to those the military considers mentally unstable. Farr seized the moment and chewed that cigar with a panache the producers couldn’t resist. He turned a day’s work into a career!

Jesus met people from all economic, spiritual, and social ranks. They had many differences, but a single similarity: all could become children of God if they seized the opportunity his coming provided. Many of them did, such as Zacchaeus, who opened his heart to love and emptied it of greed.

Some of them did not, such as the rich young ruler who was thwarted by his own avarice, and the expert in the Law who, instead of accepting Christ’s gracious interpretation of the great commandment, wanted to justify himself. We all have the same opportunity, when the kingdom of God comes near. Will we seize it, or let it pass?

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.