WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?

Please take a number and wait. Have all your documents ready.

“Number 17.” I looked around to see who was next.

Cane in hand, Percy slowly shuffled over to Leroy’s desk. Leroy, a volunteer for Tax Counselor for the Elderly, said: “I need to know your full name, address, social security number, age, the value of your home, property taxes levied, rent paid, total income, number of people who live with you, any disabilities, prescription drug costs, and your heating expenses.”

Percy set a crinkled grocery bag on the desk; stuffed with one-year’s worth of equally crinkled property tax receipts, check stubs, paid and overdue utility bills, social security statements, doctors bills, and an array of important and unimportant documents. Percy said: “I hope you can help me.”

This scenario parallels the spiritual lives of too many people.

The life-bag gets pretty stuffed. Crumpled in there are offenses, sins towards God and unresolved people problems. This is all mixed in with a whole realm of good and bad experiences. And when it comes to God, a person can feel very unsure of how things will eternally add up.

If we let our conscience freely speak, we become aware of the gap in our connection with God. Thankfully the Bible says, “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and a person, the man Christ Jesus…”

Leroy patiently sorted through Percy’s paper bag. Leroy became Percy’s mediator through the complexity. He assured Percy of what he could expect.

Now, your number is being called.

Next. Bring your bag of confusion. You need help. I need help. We know Jesus earned the right to be our helper, our mediator to God. He died on the cross to prove His desire to aid us when we ask-- Jesus: “Please help me.”