It's not When Pigs Fly but When They Drown

S - Mark 5:14-15, 17 (TLJ): "The men who had the work of caring for the pigs ran away. They ran to the town and to the farms and told everyone what happened.  The People went out to see. They came to Jesus, and the saw the man who had the evil spirits. He was sitting down and was wearing clothes. He was in his right mind again. When they saw this, they were afraid.  … Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their area."

O - Fear is a funny thing.  Over time the town's folk had grown used to the naked man with all the demons who lived in the burial caves.  They had accepted him as some of the unavoidable collateral damage this world produces and contains.  A guy with a legion of resident demons--no problem. What scared them was when Jesus put him in his intended condition … near, clothed, fully engaged. Their conclusion based on fear?  Beg Jesus to leave … now! Why not beg him to stay?  Why not ask him to help others?  Why not rejoice in the freedom of the man?  Fear seems to be the answer. I wonder who brought this guy the clothes?  Did a couple of the disciples donate a piece of their clothing?  Did one of the town's people who as first on the scene accomplish this?  Whoever did it wasn't afraid … and I think in this regard Jesus wants all of us to not be afraid and to partner with him in the freedom he brings … and for the begging … that we beg him to go with him.

A - I want to be someone who will partner with Jesus; who will be happy for one set free rather than fearful; who will be concerned to bring clothes rather than furious at the drowned pigs.  Even when I am afraid, and in following Jesus we do experience fear, I want to beg him to stay and to beg him to let me go with him.  I want to live out loud the terms of David's response: the time I afraid I will trust in him.  Today, I want to partner with the Lord, refuse to accept collateral damage and stay near.  Wow, what a great assignment today while it is called today.

P - Lord who is freedom, life, hope and the friend of sinners,
Thank you for my assignment today in staying near, in partnership even when I am afraid.  Thank you for loving all and calling me to love with you.  Thank you for leading … and Lord I beg you please DO NOT leave the region of my life and PLEASE let me go with you, work with you and be with you today while it is called today.  Let your irrepressible and vibrant life flow into me and out of me.  Lord, I want to be someone who runs for the clothes not from the pigs. 
Lord, I love you back,
Steve