The Upper Room 28 February 2022 Daily Devotional || Monday Message
Read The Upper Room 28 February 2022 Daily Devotional
<< Previous The Upper Room Devotional
TODAY’S READING
Luke 19:1-10
KEY VERSE: When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” – Luke 19:5 (NRSV)
The Upper Room 28 February 2022 Daily Devotional MESSAGE
A few years ago my family and I were at Cambridge University in England around the time of the annual examinations. As we walked, I saw a student sitting alone on a bench with his head in his hands. I thought about going over to comfort him, but I hesitated, conflicted. Then I walked on by. Could I have made a difference by quietly supporting him in what appeared to be a moment of crisis? I will never know, but I regret to this day not going over to sit beside him.
There have been times in my life when I longed for someone to reach out to me. A few weeks after the death of my mother, I was in morning worship feeling sad. I yearned for someone to ask me if I was doing okay because at that moment I was not. I guess my game face fooled everyone because no one asked.
Sometimes we hesitate to reach out to someone for fear of offending them. But by not doing so we also miss the chance to offer comfort and support to those who really want and need it. Time and again Jesus reached out to others, offering healing and acceptance. Reaching out to a hurting person is not easy for me, but I try, inspired by Jesus’ brave examples. I believe that the power of personal connection outweighs any risk.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, encourage us when we hesitate to reach out to those around us who are hurting or alone. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Offering God’s love and comfort to others is worth the risk.
PRAYER FOCUS
Someone waiting for me to reach out
READ MORE
More From Donald Greeley
The Upper Room 28 February 2022 Devotional Message. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More