The Man in Traffic

As I drove to church this morning, I passed a young man who caused me to pause and consider. You see, he was standing there in his shorts and T-shirt, with a ball cap turned sideways on his head, and except for his position and activity, I wouldn't have given him a second glance.

But he was standing in the median of the street, with a plastic bag in his hand. As a vehicle would pass, he'd stand atop the median, but when there was a break in traffic, he'd step down and pick up garbage lying there in the street near the median. When another vehicle approached, he'd move back to his perch on the median, and repeat the process after that vehicle had passed.

At a few minutes after 7am on a Sunday morning, this man was standing in traffic and picking up trash that he obviously hadn't dropped. Was he doing more than "his fair share" in the community? Without a doubt. He was doing far more than anyone could ever expect, and he was doing it without being asked. He saw an opportunity to serve his community, and took action.

Mark 5:19-20 (Contemporary English Version)
But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how good he has been to you."
The man went away into the region near the ten cities known as Decapolis and began telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard what had happened was amazed.

The man here in the scriptures was delivered from an army of demons, and then wanted to accompany Jesus as he continued along in his ministry. But this newly-healed man was told by Jesus to go tell his family about his deliverance. Instead, this man did far more than he was asked, and told everyone in the space of TEN CITIES. As a result, the entire region was made aware of the salvation available from God through Jesus the Christ!

Lord, help me realize that when it comes to YOU, enough doesn't have to be enough. If I'm asked to do something in the name of the ministry, it's entirely acceptable to do that and more. Let me seek and find those opportunities to be that "man in traffic", giving the obvious extra effort for you, Lord. Not for the accolades or the attention, but just because I can do more for you. Because after all, I could never repay the acts you've done for me.

God Bless!

© 2008 Scotty Ward