I had plenty of time to think while driving back from closing on our house in Arkansas this past week. Janis was staying to attend a wedding later in the week, so I had several hours to “philosophize.” Because I am now so technologically savvy, I was armed with my cell phone (I was one of the last adults you know to capitulate to carrying one . . . now I can’t imagine how I lived without it!) and was conveying to a friend the good news of my house sale. He asked me if I was pleased with the way it turned out. I responded, “Well, you know, in life there’s what you want, what you decide you’ll settle for and what you get!” Then I said, “That sounds pretty profound; I think I may use that sometime.” So, you’re my guinea pigs.
“What you want… what you’ll settle for… and what you get!”
There was once a man who had been born with deformed legs. His life had not been filled with opportunities. He had no choice but to beg. He did have family and friends who would take turns taking him to the temple most days. He had his own spot. Everyone in town knew him and knew the exact gate at which he sat.
He didn’t need much. Many years ago he used to want to be like everybody else-to run and play and be able to work; but those dreams were long gone. Now he just wanted enough money for one decent meal every day. Sometimes he got it; sometimes he didn’t. Some days he went hungry.
“What you want… what you’ll settle for… and what you get!”
Strangers were prime targets. They were more sympathetic. Folks who see you every day become hardened to your plight. They divert their eyes . . . acting like they don’t see you. He was used to it. Here came two guys that were Galileans. You could tell from the way they dressed. Their eyes met. They were coming over. Good, maybe they’ll be generous.
“Alms, alms for the poor!”
“Sorry, we don’t have any money.” … Are you kidding me? So why did you come over here?
“. . . but we do have something to give you from Jesus . . . Get up and walk!”
Sometimes life takes away our dreams and we settle for something far less. And we are often disappointed with even those expectations. And then Jesus comes. And what you get is far, far greater than anything you’ve ever dreamed!
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Cor. 2:9
-Ken Stegall