Warning! The blog you are about to read may challenge you (at least I hope it does!)...
Sunday I attended worship at Central Presbyterian Church (USA) in downtown Atlanta. I had heard about this church from several seminary classmates and was really intrigued by their witness to the city and mission work for the homeless and displaced in Atlanta, so I was looking forward to seeing it for myself. While driving to church, I had no idea what God had in store for me during the worship experience.
The structure of the church dates back to pre-Civil War dates, but the heart of the church is alive and well, living into God's call to worship vibrantly and to shout the message of the Gospel from the mountain-tops.
The sermon, short and sweet, hit home and challenged me in ways I had not anticipated. I would like to share the challenging message with you...
"Beware of saying yes to God" Pastor Gary Charles. What a true statement! I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud when I heard these words coming from the pulpit due to the irony of it and its relation to my call. I was cautious for many years of saying 'yes' to God because I was afraid of where that 'yes' would take me....
Ultimately that 'yes' has taken me into a vocation of ministry and mission for the world and has lead me to Columbia Theological Seminary. For that I am thankful because God saw something in me that I could not (or would not) see in myself.
A year ago, when I was at a low point, I looked up from the tears on my pillowcase to the heavens above and said, "Ok, God....I'm ready...I'm finally saying 'YES!' to you, no matter where this 'YES!' takes me." That moment when I uttered my response to God's calling through joyful tears and painful sobs changed the direction of my life. That 'YES!' changed my life forever, and for that I am thankful.
So I want to warn you to beware of saying 'yes' to God. Be cautious in answering God with a 'yes.' But when you are ready to respond and do say 'yes' to God, say "YES!" with conviction. Say "YES!" with all of your heart, mind, and soul. Say "YES!" like you mean it and then live like you mean it. My challenge to you is to say "YES!" to God today and see where it takes you tomorrow.
Your "YES!" may take you to a soup kitchen where you serve a hot meal to a person in need. Your "YES!" may take you to the doorstep of a new neighbor with cookies in your hand. Your "YES!" may take you to a foreign country on a mission trip. Your "YES!" may take you to a Sunday School class where you fellowship with other believers and are stretched in your faith. Your "YES!" may take you to a new city or a new sate. Your "YES!" may take you to a new job. And if you're like me, your "YES!" may take you to seminary. Where ever your "YES!" takes you, go in faith and with open eyes to see, open ears to listen, and an open heart to love.
Say "YES!" to God today and see where it takes you tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
I Saw Jesus Today
I saw Jesus today....
It was Friday afternoon, I was done with classes and quizzes for the week, and was ready for my 2.75 hour journey home to Greenville for the weekend. On my way out of town I was planning a quick stop for gas in an effort to beat the Friday traffic rush in Atlanta.
As I pulled into the corner gas station, I saw a haggard-looking gentleman digging through the trash can at the pump I was backing up to. While parking and gathering my money to pay for the gas, I mentally prepared myself to get out of the car, thinking, "Oh, great, he's going to ask me for money." I have lived in Miami and am familiar with the sight of people begging on the streets. I usually pray for the person and their needs, but honestly, I pretty much despise being asked for money. I rarely ever hand out money but have on occasion given a person food, the address of a shelter, etc....something that cannot be used to feed a drug or alcohol addiction.
Something about this man pulled at my heart strings. He was holding up the cap to a gas tank, thinking I may have left it behind and was returning for it. I shook my head no and he continued to search through the garbage. Adverse to my normal reaction, I looked in my purse for some loose change and grabbed two quarters for him.
When I exited my car, the man asked me if I could help him get a burger. He offered to pump my gas for me and his eyes pleaded with me to help him. I told him I didn't have much money and gave him the two quarters. I was preparing to end my interaction with him and started pumping gas, avoiding eye contact. Silently seeking a way out, I began thinking to myself that I was trying to beat traffic, I didn't have time for this today, and that I had helped enough with the two quarters. I was in a rush...I just didn't have time!
But something told me, yes, you do have time. Make time.
So, I turned to the man, still digging in the trash for something that he could salvage, and I asked him where he'd like to get a burger. He pointed to Checkers (within walking distance) put said wherever is fine. I could not bear the thought of him eating from a garbage bin any longer, so I told him to meet me at Checkers and I'd finish up at the gas station. He mumbled thank you and something about a bike, which he quickly grabbed and walked himself and the bike over to Checkers.
Walking up to the pick-up window, I asked this apparently homeless and possibly mentally challenged man his name. He said, "Mike, but people call me Big Mike." I told him my name and asked Mike what he would like to eat. He was standing a couple feet back from the pick-up window and was shuffling his feet a bit. Mike told me he just wanted a Checkers burger, so I ordered a large #1 with a Coca-Cola, Mike's drink of choice. The large drink came immediately and Mike grabbed it eagerly with two hands, sipping the excess from the top of the lid so none would be wasted.
While we waited for the food, we began to talk, and I asked Mike if he was from Atlanta. He answered that he was and told me that he lived 'over there' (pointing to some woods across the street), in the woods, behind some people's house that he looked after. Mike said he watched out for their place, making sure nobody messed with it. Looking right into my eyes, Mike told me, "I'm just a handicapped, homeless guy. I don't mean no harm to anybody. Even the police around here know me and I just try to help people out and do the right thing when I can." I answered that that was a pretty good thing to do.
I told Mike how I was on my way home to visit my family in South Carolina, and he commented on how pretty it was...he traveled there with his mama and sister and had been there before his mama had died but didn't get to stay long because somebody needed the car back that they were borrowing. Mike said how quiet and full of trees the Carolinas are and that that was the only time he'd been out of town in his fifty-two years of life.
When the food came, I handed it to Mike and said, "It sure was nice meeting you today. I live nearby, so I hope I run into you again." Mike gave me a big grin and said he hoped so too. As we started walking our separate ways, me to my car, and Mike to his bike, he thanked me and wished me a safe trip home.
I saw Jesus today. I saw Jesus in the face of a guy named Mike. I saw Jesus in the body of a displaced, handicapped, homeless man. I heard Jesus in the gentle voice of kind gentleman from Atlanta. I looked into Jesus' eyes when I looked into Mike's big, brown eyes as he told me thank you. I saw Jesus today.
It was Friday afternoon, I was done with classes and quizzes for the week, and was ready for my 2.75 hour journey home to Greenville for the weekend. On my way out of town I was planning a quick stop for gas in an effort to beat the Friday traffic rush in Atlanta.
As I pulled into the corner gas station, I saw a haggard-looking gentleman digging through the trash can at the pump I was backing up to. While parking and gathering my money to pay for the gas, I mentally prepared myself to get out of the car, thinking, "Oh, great, he's going to ask me for money." I have lived in Miami and am familiar with the sight of people begging on the streets. I usually pray for the person and their needs, but honestly, I pretty much despise being asked for money. I rarely ever hand out money but have on occasion given a person food, the address of a shelter, etc....something that cannot be used to feed a drug or alcohol addiction.
Something about this man pulled at my heart strings. He was holding up the cap to a gas tank, thinking I may have left it behind and was returning for it. I shook my head no and he continued to search through the garbage. Adverse to my normal reaction, I looked in my purse for some loose change and grabbed two quarters for him.
When I exited my car, the man asked me if I could help him get a burger. He offered to pump my gas for me and his eyes pleaded with me to help him. I told him I didn't have much money and gave him the two quarters. I was preparing to end my interaction with him and started pumping gas, avoiding eye contact. Silently seeking a way out, I began thinking to myself that I was trying to beat traffic, I didn't have time for this today, and that I had helped enough with the two quarters. I was in a rush...I just didn't have time!
But something told me, yes, you do have time. Make time.
So, I turned to the man, still digging in the trash for something that he could salvage, and I asked him where he'd like to get a burger. He pointed to Checkers (within walking distance) put said wherever is fine. I could not bear the thought of him eating from a garbage bin any longer, so I told him to meet me at Checkers and I'd finish up at the gas station. He mumbled thank you and something about a bike, which he quickly grabbed and walked himself and the bike over to Checkers.
Walking up to the pick-up window, I asked this apparently homeless and possibly mentally challenged man his name. He said, "Mike, but people call me Big Mike." I told him my name and asked Mike what he would like to eat. He was standing a couple feet back from the pick-up window and was shuffling his feet a bit. Mike told me he just wanted a Checkers burger, so I ordered a large #1 with a Coca-Cola, Mike's drink of choice. The large drink came immediately and Mike grabbed it eagerly with two hands, sipping the excess from the top of the lid so none would be wasted.
While we waited for the food, we began to talk, and I asked Mike if he was from Atlanta. He answered that he was and told me that he lived 'over there' (pointing to some woods across the street), in the woods, behind some people's house that he looked after. Mike said he watched out for their place, making sure nobody messed with it. Looking right into my eyes, Mike told me, "I'm just a handicapped, homeless guy. I don't mean no harm to anybody. Even the police around here know me and I just try to help people out and do the right thing when I can." I answered that that was a pretty good thing to do.
I told Mike how I was on my way home to visit my family in South Carolina, and he commented on how pretty it was...he traveled there with his mama and sister and had been there before his mama had died but didn't get to stay long because somebody needed the car back that they were borrowing. Mike said how quiet and full of trees the Carolinas are and that that was the only time he'd been out of town in his fifty-two years of life.
When the food came, I handed it to Mike and said, "It sure was nice meeting you today. I live nearby, so I hope I run into you again." Mike gave me a big grin and said he hoped so too. As we started walking our separate ways, me to my car, and Mike to his bike, he thanked me and wished me a safe trip home.
I saw Jesus today. I saw Jesus in the face of a guy named Mike. I saw Jesus in the body of a displaced, handicapped, homeless man. I heard Jesus in the gentle voice of kind gentleman from Atlanta. I looked into Jesus' eyes when I looked into Mike's big, brown eyes as he told me thank you. I saw Jesus today.
Here I Am: I Saw Jesus Today
Here I Am: I Saw Jesus Today: I saw Jesus today.... It was Friday afternoon, I was done with classes and quizzes for the week, and was ready for my 2.75 hour journey ho...
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