Stumbling

My heart broke as I watched the effects of sin take place in the world. I was sitting at a red light down town when I noticed a man standing at the corner. He was holding a sign that said “Homeless and hungry.” I noticed him shaking. At first I thought that it was because of the winter weather. It was a very windy and snowy morning. But as I watched him, I realized that it wasn’t the winter weather making him shake, it was because he was drunk. He began swaying back and forth while holding his sign across his chest for the passing cars to see. As the light prepared to change to green, this man fell into the middle of the street. All of the drivers sat in their cars uncertain of what to do. Did someone need to help him up? A few seconds after he fell, he stumbled back onto his feet. He waved his hand as if to say, "Don't worry about me. I will be fine." I sat there staring at him. Where was his family? What was his past like? What choices or circumstances brought him to this point? Then it struck me... God loves that man. God created him with a purpose. Did this man know that he was created for a reason?

Sin. It causes us to stumble. And how many times do we get up by ourselves after we stumble? We need to learn to be open and ask for help. When we fall... we need to grasp the Lord's hand and allow Him to pull us back up.

Why did I just sit in my warm car and stare at that man? Why didn't I jump out and help him? I didn't I spend those few moments in prayer for him like I should have. Instead, I sat there judging him. Maybe it's time for me to look at what causes me to stumble instead of wondering about others.

Lord, help me to be a blessing to someone today...