Julian

I met Julian the other day. He had no teeth but he did have a bicycle. He told me exactly what the lunch he wanted would cost at the restaurant (I was waiting for a friend) nearby. He said he had exactly $1.62 and asked me for the balance. I told him that my name was Jim, gave him the balance and said I hoped his say went well. The thanked me and was off.

 

While a man of obviously marginally means, I like Julian. He was open and honest about his need. He was bold in asking it be met. And he asked for only what was needed (a modest sum.) Julian displayed a confidence I seldom see in the people I normally hang out with. Heck, even me.

 

Julian seemed to understand something Jesus tried to get across to his dense disciples (including me.) God wants to care for your needs. God wants you to be confident in asking. Trust God to come through (although God does not always do it in an orthodox way, meeting our timeline.)

 

I think I want to be more like Julian.

 

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.  Matthew 6:27-34 (The Message)