Today the kiddos and I made a quick run into WalMart to get some cat chow and a gift card. Outside the front door was a Salvation Army bell ringer. This gentleman was in a wheelchair (he only had one leg) and was wrapped up in blankets, gloves, and a stocking cap. He was missing many of his teeth. In his lap was a small "boom box" and as we walked closer I could hear that he was singing. I assumed it was a Christmas song but soon realized he was belting out "Awesome God" by Rich Mullins. The gentleman didn't have a bad voice, inspite of his toothlessness, and he sang with such conviction. When we walked out through the same door, he was singing "He is Exalted". The kids put some money in his bucket and we got in the van. An immediate reality check came from the Holy Spirit...I'd been worrying about work deadlines and Christmas shopping and if my new haircut has enough "angle" and here he was in a wheelchair, in the freezing winter air, belting out praises to the Lord. Not ashamed, not fettered with concern or bitterness, just enjoying pure unadulterated worship in front of the WalMart. Whoa - or more like Woe! Woe is me for being a run of the mill, overextended, burnt out Christian who is half-ashamed to worship in church let alone out in public. Lord, I confess that I don't want to lose a leg or all my teeth, heck I don't even want to have a hair out of place. But I do want what he has: joy; peace; boldness; and blessedness...so whatever it takes Lord, whatever it takes.
Matthew 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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2 comments:
You did pretty well coming to that all by yourself. There are probably hundreds of people who passed and didn't even notice the message right in front of them.
It's so obvious how we are all connected. How we all are here for each other. It doesn't matter if we know each othe or not, we are all connected into God's wonderful design. Whooooaaaa! (Now about that "angle" on the cut? HMMMMMMM!)
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