A Joke I Heard In Sunday School

It goes something like this....

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for her Sunday school class.. As she ran, she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late, please don't let me be late'. While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again. As she ran, she once again began to pray, 'Dear lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!"

I thought the joke was hilarious. My adult class enjoyed it, but I got to thinking about the joke. The Lord should save me from my own thinking, but I believe there is actually a sermon in this joke.

Has God ever shoved you?

Has he ever pushed you harder in a direction you were already headed?

I think He does these things. He has pushed me toward doing things in my life and at church that I would never have done on my own. Teaching Sunday School is one of them. He also seems to put people in my way. Just let me say, He has to do that otherwise I don't see them. It's the hazard that comes with living too much in my head and trying to be invisible. I tend to look through people like they are not even there. It's extremely selfish if I'm honest about it, but still, I do this all the time. But sometimes....just occasionally, He will put someone in my way to push me in person. Sometimes they are very pushy themselves. This is extremely irritating, but He usually gets my attention that way. There have been several such people in my life, all of whom I have been glad to know and been very thankful for when all was said and done.

I have also managed to ignore some of the people He has put in my way despite His intentions. The result has not been good. I just have to pay more attention. There is a reason for everything He does. If he has to push me or shove me or put people in my way to get my attention, then maybe I am not listening. And why am I not listening? Why am I so wrapped up in what is going on in my world, that I forget about everyone else's? God does not work on my schedule. He has things He needs to get done. When he chooses me to help Him or he wants to help me, I need to be there, whatever else is going on.   

I need to listen...even if I'm late for Sunday school. Thanks for the shove Lord!