Thoughtful

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But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. - Matthew 13:16

How's your Eternal Vision? Do you know what I mean?

When you look at someone, do you see the now, or the could be? Do you see the filth or imagine the splendor?

Basically what I'm asking... Do you leave room for Jesus?

Do you see that child, trying so hard not to be childlike that raced headlong into trouble? Now her belly is rounding with new life, and people avoid her gaze and ask questions that don't just not have easy answers... they have no answers. When you look at her downcast face, do you see a scarlet letter, or do you envision her 15 years from now, standing next to her new husband as new life starts again in her womb? Look closely... see the tears in her eyes? They are a result of her joy as she watches that first love rise up out of the water and put on new life. Think it'll never happen? Guess what... she can't imagine it at this moment, either. She can't imagine anything beyond the shame and terror engulfing her right now. Will you be Jesus in her life?

Do you see that man, the one who doesn't smell too fresh and takes up half the sidewalk as he sprawls out over the vent, trying to keep warm as temperatures drop? Do you see his unshaven face? Perhaps it's not so much that he has no razor, as it is that he is trying to hide. Why not, when he's mostly invisible now anyway? When you look into those proud eyes, do you see a wasted life, or do you imagine a business owner in a snazzy suit? You'll know it's him because he's the one who stops to offer a smile and knows the homeless in his neighborhood by name. He's going to lead so many out of hunger and into Christ. Think I'm crazy? So does he. Right this minute he can't dream of anything larger than making it through the night. Will you be Christ in his day?

Do you see that woman, the one who everyone calls the “Barracuda”? Yeah, her. She's angry and out for blood and always, always strikes first. She gives no quarter and lives to cut any opponents off at the knees... and she sees absolutely everyone as an opponent. When you give her a quick, non-challenging glance from the corner of your eye, do you see a woman who loves her nickname and lives to make it true, or do you see the possibility of a woman whose heart of stone is revealed as a wounded and weeping thing that, if bound and healed, could go on to recognize other wounded and rescue them? Think it's impossible? No one would laugh harder than the “Barracuda”, were you to suggest such a thing.  Then again, no one would hope more desperately that you maybe, might be, could it be?... Right? Will you be the Light in her dark, dark darkness?



In tens, maybe hundreds, dare I guess thousands of opportunities a day, you have a choice to make.

Will you see the reality, or will you look with your eternal eyes?

Will you be that one, that rare gem, that light, that salt that offers God in dark places, in dark times, to dark people?

What I mean to say is: Won't you?
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Dear Lord, let it be that You are not only found in heaven, but in Your people here on this earth. Help us to handle the hard. In Jesus' Name, Amen...

photo credit: Jaden Dave via Photopin

photo credit: Jeff Hunter via Photopin