Last week I was humbled by a man holding a sign and asking for help. He was visibly in need, so when I put down my window my words declared what my eyes were seeing. I found myself stating with purposed gentleness that he looked rough. He genuinely smiled and then informed me that he had been sleeping in the woods, but then with that same smile, was quick to say that he would be fine. As I handed him a bit of money he thanked me, and then he made the sign of the cross. (I grew up in a religious denomination where this is a familiar symbol of reverence for the cross and the Trinity.)
As I was driving away from this man I asked the Holy Spirit to help me to process the encounter. I witnessed his clear indication that he knew Jesus, and yet I saw a man who was in alarming need of intervention.
I reminded myself of the truth that God has consistently revealed through His Word. Truth that declares that God's heart is for us to know Him, experience Him in all His fullness, and move forward in confidence of His saving grace. His grace is available for us regardless of the situations where we find ourselves, for God loves us with an everlasting love.
The man I met on the road was in need of Jesus, but I am too! His appearance was desperate, but his confidence in the cross was evident in the manner that he chose to respond. His words spoke of hope, and then he backed it up with showing me where his confidence rests.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV For we walk by faith, not by sight.