"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me..."  John 9:4a

Welcome to "Pastor's Ponderings!"  In each upcoming newsletter, I'd like to share thoughts I have been mulling over.  I encourage you to chew over these thoughts and let me know what you think.

The ninth chapter of John's Gospel opens with a very common setting: Jesus walking with his disciples.  At this point in his ministry, the Jewish leaders want to kill Jesus.  But Jesus does not act like a wanted man.

When things go bad in our lives, when we feel threatened, or under attack, we tend to focus on our situation, we get wrapped up in ourselves.  Jesus could have followed our typical human example, but instead of focusing on himself, he remained dedicated to the will of his Father.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking along, Jesus saw a man who was blind from birth.  I wonder, how many of us would have seen the blind man?  Sometimes we are all wrapped up in ourselves; our worries, our activities and our situation.  During these times, people in need become part of the scenery, the back drop, they are something we pass by.  Like a silly rabbit who keeps looking at his pocket watch, we too say, "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date."

On Sunday we wholeheartedly agree we are called to share Christ's love with the world.  But when we leave church we get "too busy."  Someone needs to care for those who are in need, but "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date."

Our busy lifestyle blinds us, but Jesus did not pass by.  Jesus set aside his plans for the day, he wasn't focused on his situation, he ministered to the one who was in need.  Opportunities for ministry often occur when we have different plans.  Will we follow the example of our Lord or excuse ourselves as we declare, "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date?"

Learn more about the ministry of St. Paul's Reformed Church of Beavertown online: www.stpaulsofbeavertown.org