I like pretty things, clean things…I don’t like dirt, mess or things not prettied up and perfect.
So, when I see poverty, pain, and ruin, I look away. My overly analytical mind takes over, reasoning away pain, blaming this person, or accusing that system.
But God doesn’t put up with that. He mercifully allows tragedy near me. Believe me, I am beyond grateful that it is not in my path. But it’s close enough so a little mess splashes onto me. Just close enough so that a whiff of stink reaches the core of my soul. And near enough so unmet potential touches me.
He beckons me to really see, to embrace the one in pain, to forget my analysis for just a second and behold the precious heart next to me.
Though everything in me wants to run away, wash the mess off, find a cleaner smelling space, and look only at those who are doing big and great things, Jesus’ love for me fills me with the courage to stand and stare.
For in the dirt and ugliness, redeeming work can be done. Which is more wondrous, a perfectly clean life or a life filled with dirt-turned-heavenly pixie dust? Which is more wonderful, a life thrown away, or a life redeemed? Which is more amazing, artificial goodness or Life at work?
Jesus, thank you for the recent opportunities to see the least of these. Thank you for letting me watch you restore that which is broken and dirty. God, give me the courage not look away, for that is where I will see your redeeming hand. I don’t want to miss it, You in action!
5 comments:
Great post Esther...~ Seems that the Resurrection can really come to life when we 'bear one another's burdens', and those around us. I think it allows the joy of Jesus to be worked through us, yet there are lots of us that look the other way...even in our own communities. We don't have to go to the city to see hurt & pain...it's right here! Maybe if we seek out opportunities to reach out, build relationships, we may find that we aren't only blessing 'them'. - Jenn
Beautiful, Esther! - Julie
So true...thank you for the gentle reminder. "But for the grace of God, there go I." People just like us. Great post, Esther. Blessings to you today.
Hi! I'm a NEW follower!
I also wanted to give you the Stylish Blog Award...
Stylish Blogger Award
Rules for accepting this award are:
1. Thank & link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their Blog Award!
You can get the award off of my post, just save it as a pic ; )
http://www.pursuitoftitus2.com/
Thanks -- I like this reminder to look on the least, the unloveable, the messy, with the eyes of Christ. Jesus himself was homeless and an outcast, and the day of his greatest victory was preceded by total humiliation, crushing pain and abandonment by most of his friends. It makes the manger and the resurrection that much more awe-inspiring.
Found you through a Blogher sidebar. Merry Christmas!
Nancy
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