Pastor Bill Hayden
Do you remember as teenagers, when it was common practice to hitch a ride, if you didn’t have the funds, to go to a nearby town or city? Sometimes it didn’t have to be a great distance away. You could stand on the corner or in the street with your hand out and thumb pointing up. As cars pass by, most of the time a kind person would pull over and ask, “Do you need a lift and how far are you going?” If they were going toward your destination, they would willingly give you a ride, as far as they were traveling. We lived in a time when most people were good citizens and were empathic to others’ needs. It was a time of … “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Today, many people are fearful of just about everything. The other day I heard about a woman that was kidnapped when she went to the aid of a seemingly helpless child. She was released several days later from her captives and we could only shudder at what she endured from them. Her whole life was turned upside down…. when she responded to an apparent victim and became a casualty of an evil person. I don’t think that she will ever be proactive in coming to the aid of anyone in need again, for fear that it could be a hoax and endanger her life.
It is too dangerous these days to get a ride in a stranger’s car, even if your car breaks down on the road. There is a prevailing feeling among the population these days, of mistrust because evil deeds are in the hearts of those who prey upon the innocent.
Proverbs 29:2 KJ21 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.
Do you find yourself in need of a lift? I’m offering an environment where people like yourself are affirmed and valued. There is an abundance of people who have expressed that their heart and spirit felt valued and renewed in hope, while attending the Chapel Experience. Need a Lift?… come to Chapel!
Celebrate with us at the Villages Community Chapel in Cribari Auditorium, every Sunday at 10 a.m. to be encouraged over the Word of Life, enjoy a cup of coffee and cookies with friends. The chapel is a place for needs to be met, faith to be affirmed and new friends to embrace. You can view our worship services on YouTube at Villages Community Chapel San Jose, CA.