Observations that Lead to Action

Real Dudes,
What do we learn about the woman in the following passage? 

Luke 7:11-16 (NLT) 11 Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.”

We learn two things about her: 
First she’s a widow…her husband is no longer around. Secondly, her only son just died…he too is now no longer around. With all the men absent from her life - how was she now going to be able to move forward when at times widows were ignored? I’m sure many thoughts were racing through her mind. BUT with perfect timing as always - in walks Jesus, and what was His response to what He observed? 
In verses 13 and 14 we read that He saw her and her situation with His eyes, He had compassion on her in His heart, He consoled her with His words, and then He took action by helping do something about it. 
What an amazing example He displays for us. But let me ask you this…in the progression of what we just read, are there steps that you are prone to eliminate in your own life? You might say, “sure, I see the situation some face,” but then it ends there. Or “sure, I see the situation and am bothered by it,” but it soon has no effect on you. Or “sure, I see, am bothered, provide cliche words to them in hopes to console them,” but is that really enough or helpful? What is your response once you’ve checked every step off, and then come to the taking action portion of it? Do you tend to hesitate, ignore, or jump into action however the Lord leads? Pray for the Lord to give you His eyes for just one second and see where that takes you. He’ll reveal it to you if you’re genuinely looking to do something that’ll bring Him glory!!! Enjoy!
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

A good friend of mine had a t-shirt on the other day…instead of it reading “Just do it,” it read “Just did it.” That statement is observation put into action…not should I do it, but I did it. Loved it!!!

Additional Passage to Consider: 
James 2:14-17 (NLT) 14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

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