It's something when concepts in the Bible "jump off" of the page and command your full attention. What's more amazing is to have real-life examples manifest before your eyes in the very same day. If we're willing to listen and observe, we'll find that the Lord speaks to us in very real, tangible ways all the time.
Take the story of the poor widow. Most people who read this short story are sharp enough to gather that the monetary value and the value in terms of sacrifice and heart-currency were drastically different. It's obvious which kind of gift the Lord prefers. What might not be as obvious, is the fact that the woman likely had no other funding available for food, housing, medicine, or any other needs of her own. The rich were able to drop off their sizable offerings and return to their normal, everyday lives. Meanwhile, the widow had to fully depend on God to meet her most basic needs, from that point forward.
Mark 12:41-44 (The Message)
Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all."
This story played through my headphones last Friday. At first, I didn't think much of it. When the epilogue began after the scriptural reading, I could see a theme emerging, and I began to pay attention. After boarding the bus a few minutes later, it became quite obvious that the Lord was speaking directly to me. I was about to encounter a living, breathing example of what a faith-filled life looks like (and the shabby condition of my own heart).
While rolling down the street, a elderly man named Jeff decided to take part in the conversation the bus driver and I were having about the recent earthquakes and tsunami which impacted Japan. It was only a short trip down to my connecting bus, but the three of us (the bus driver, Jeff and me) spoke of the need to pray for the people of Japan, and thanked the Lord that earthquakes such as the one that shook our town back in 1993, had left us unharmed. Before long, we were at the transfer station and it was time to say goodbye to my new friends.
Jeff surprised me a bit by telling me to "Let your light shine, and not hide it under a bushel", as I quickly exited the bus. His statement would carry significant weight later.
As I boarded the connecting bus that would take me the rest of the way to work, I noticed that my new friend Jeff was sharing the same route. I offered him the seat next to me, which he gladly accepted. We continued talking about the Lord, and then he quickly opened up his Bible to read a verse or two from Deuteronomy, Chapter 4. Suddenly, I became acutely aware of how loud the conversation was, and how many people could overhear what was being said. I had to fight the urge to "keep it down", or disassociate from our conversation, as not to offend anyone. Simultaneously, I was being gently convicted. "Surely I'm not ashamed, am I?" said my inner-monologue. "Was this what the disciples did, when they were accused of being associated with Jesus, as he was being taken away to be crucified?" Thankfully, I was able to push past these ugly, cowardly feelings, to absorb the beautiful gift the Lord had prepared.
From there, Jeff's testimony began to flow from his lips in a very pure, and raw way. His voice was sure, yet at times I could hear him begin choke up as he described his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jeff was once addicted to drugs and alcohol, and was homeless for a time. Thankfully, Jeff was blessed to currently be living with another person, as He accepted Jesus as Lord, and began to turn his life around. Sadly, the home in which he is co-habitating is beginning the foreclosure process. Jeff also told me that [presumably not long ago] he'd returned home with some groceries, only to find that the water had been shut off. Instead of panicking, or turning to substances for comfort or escape, he turned to Jesus. "I just told Him that I was dependin' on Him to help me", Jeff said.
Amazing. Jeff wasn't stressed or angry. He was extremely happy, and praising the King of Kings for all of the good things He had done, despite having extremely temporary housing, and no running water. Here was a man who was complete in the grace of Jesus. I would be a liar if I said I'd react in the same way, under identical conditions.
At the conclusion of church service one night, an anonymous white envelope filled with cash was placed in Jeff's hands, as he headed for the parking lot. "As long as I have Jesus... He'll provide for me... My Savior, my God... I just want to yell how much I love Him for what He's done for me!"
Me too, Jeff. I will continue to share the truth about Jesus, and I'll never be ashamed of the gospel. Thank you so much for your sterling example, and refreshing lesson.
Good Night
No comments:
Post a Comment