What is worse than being financially broke?

From my Daily Journal

October 14, 2010

^{Acts 3:1-8}

¹One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ²Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" ⁵So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. ⁶Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Can you see Peter & John going about their daily routine in Jerusalem? It was apparently a day like any other. They were going to the temple to repeat their prayers; a beggar was being carried to the usual spot where he could collect donations from those attending the temple. The day was assembling together just like any other, but there was something different about Peter & John on that particular day. They broke away from the usual and expected, from whatever would prescribe another ordinary day. What was going on in the hearts and minds of these ordinary men from the Galilean countryside? They refused to coast through their morning in their customary way. Their usual tunnel vision was widened to include the peripheral details that they would have missed. What was influencing them to change their perspective? Why on this day were they willing to engage the world of a beggar in Jerusalem with such audacity and authority? I think their new experience of Pentecost and their growing relationship with the Holy Spirit made them different. These are some of the ways I believe the Holy Spirit empowered to transform them:

They looked straight at the beggar – empowered to see, to embrace the problem & assess the situation

They asked the beggar to look at them – empowered to engage and create a sense of expectation

They acknowledge their incapacity to deliver what the beggar sought but willingly shared what they did have “authority in the name of Jesus” – empowered to surpass the request for a monetary donation and deliver physical restoration

They took him by the hand and helped him up until he received strength in his feet – empowered to come near, touch, hold and assist the beggar to receive the powerful and miraculous ministry that had been released over him

They allowed him to join them in their way – empowered to celebrate with joy and praises to God and do life together

From this episode in the life of Peter and John we can learn that not having any money to contribute to a beggar is no excuse to look away and avoid the encounter. It may prove to be the threshold of a divine appointment waiting for our attention. There may not be too many things worse than being financially broke, but in this case spiritually broke is strongly suggested.

Are we able to list many things worse than being financially broke? If we can only list a few things worse than being financially broke, why do you think that is? Are we satisfied with how our lives play out day to day? How would our lives change if we were to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit? What would come into view if our current tunnel vision would be widened? What frightens us about a Spirit led life? What is the alternative, and why does it appeal to us? How might the world be missing out if we avoid operating in the power of the Holy Spirit?