“There are two kinds of people,” said advice columnist Abigail Van Buren. “Those who walk into a room and say, ‘There you are!’ and those who say, ‘Here I am!’” The one Person who could have rightly declared, “Here I am,” seemed oddly reluctant to promote Himself. Jesus was much more interested in others. At His first miracle, He admonished His mother, “My time has not yet come” (John 2:4). Often He told the people He had healed: “Don’t tell anyone about this” (Mark 1:44).
But when He met individuals, Jesus had a disarming way of seeing into their souls. “Who touched My robe?” He asked, as a frightened woman who had brushed against His garment cowered nearby (Mark 5:32-33). Desperate and suffering from a 12-year physical condition, she wished to remain anonymous while accessing Jesus’ power. He, on the other hand, wanted a personal connection with her. “Daughter, your faith has made you well,” He said gently. “Go in peace” (Mark 5:34).
On another occasion, Jesus ignored the taboos of His day when He reached out at Jacob’s well in Samaria to a woman with a sketchy past (John 4:4-42). Not only was He alone with a woman (gasp!), He engaged her in conversation. In so doing, He shrewdly turned an innocuous request—“Please give Me a drink” (John 4:7)— into a bridge to the woman’s very soul (John 4:17-19). It was as if her guard dropped and Jesus could suddenly say, “There you are!” Rather than recoiling at being “discovered,” the woman ran to the town to announce what had just happened (John 4:29).
As we learn to supplant “Here I am!” with “There you are!” we may find that we’re being used to spark discovery of God by others—reflecting the ways of Jesus Himself.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 23:32-49
More:
Read the story of the woman at the well (John 4:4-42). In what ways did she seem surprised? Did Jesus seem at all judgmental of her? Why?
Next:
Are you the kind of person who announces “Here I am”? Or “There you are”? Why? How will you strive to show your loving interest in others today for Jesus’ glory?
tom felten on September 26, 2011 at 10:59 am
Tim, thanks for the reminder that humility marked Jesus’ life, even though He’s God’s Son! Jesus said, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). May the Holy Spirit help us to live humbly for Jesus today.
Slowgrow4321 on September 26, 2011 at 11:20 am
Tom I’ve been meaning to do this for some time but haven’t. I wanted to let you know that while I value all the authors input here, for some reason your posts in particular always reach out and touch me exactly where it is needed. They always fit my life and even more so my day. I look forward to reading your posts because I always know they will say exactly what it is that I need to hear. Thank you for your contributions here. I appreciate your efforts.
tom felten on September 26, 2011 at 1:56 pm
So glad you’re part of the ODJ community, Slowgrow4321. May God help us all continue to grow in the knowledge and love of His Son!
bearpair on September 26, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Great observation & words of wisdom, Tim! Thanks. Thought you might also appreciate a variation on your theme, from a ministry friend, Ron Hutchcraft. His blog, today, is titled, “Feeling Invisible.” Here’s the link: http://www.hutchcraft.com/blogs/ron-hutchcrafts-blogs/feeling-invisible. Terry & Pat, WA
tim gustafson on September 26, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Thanks for that, bearpair! I always appreciate Ron’s stuff. Good link.