“Grace must find expression in life, otherwise, it is not grace.”
—Karl Barth, Swiss theologian
Just as God continually makes Himself known through creation, so, too, does He often speak through things like donkeys and through people who may or may not have any clue they are being His messengers.
Whatever it takes to get our attention, He speaks to us everywhere. Even downtown. You just have to be paying attention, and be ready to be surprised. And take mental notes to carry with you...
“The Lord passed by him and proclaimed, ‘the Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…’”—Exodus 34:6, ESV
...Yesterday, I sensed the Lord was passing by at my favorite Saturday morning breakfast spot. Booths and countertop stools were quickly filling, occupied by familiar faces, a local police officer, and other good hometown folks ready (even if yawning) to start their weekend.
There was one server for all of them. One. Help was on the way, but for now at this early hour, she stood alone. Or rather, scurried about—checking the cash register, filling the coffee makers, going from booth to booth and stool to stool greeting people as best she could, always ready with a nearby pot of coffee.
Five words dominated her conversation: “I’ll be right with you.”
I waited for someone to lose their patience. Never happened. For some, it was a long “I’ll be right with you.” But the universal response—dare it be said, even the heart and “voice” of God inside this downtown restaurant—was ... grace.
If you believe what you see on the news, you'd think the world is a mess because too many people at stores, ballgames, gas stations and slow fast-food lines are complaining, yelling, insulting, and otherwise ugly-manifesting their impatience. The news, of course, tends to paint life situations with way too broad a brush. Because here in this little small-town restaurant—as perhaps in millions of similar places around the globe, every minute of every day—there seemed to be a holy moment of Heaven-sent goodness, even if those participating didn’t have a clue. The stressed server, eyes brimming with tears even through a smile, was instead greeted back with a smile, a laugh, and words of appreciation and encouragement. “No rush. It's not your fault. You’re doing a fantastic job.” Some helped clear their own table of debris and dishes left from the previous guests. One got up and grabbed the coffee pot and began pouring.
If you believe what you see on the news, you'd think the world is a mess because too many people at stores, ballgames, gas stations and slow fast-food lines are complaining, yelling, insulting, and otherwise ugly-manifesting their impatience. The news, of course, tends to paint life situations with way too broad a brush. Because here in this little small-town restaurant—as perhaps in millions of similar places around the globe, every minute of every day—there seemed to be a holy moment of Heaven-sent goodness, even if those participating didn’t have a clue. The stressed server, eyes brimming with tears even through a smile, was instead greeted back with a smile, a laugh, and words of appreciation and encouragement. “No rush. It's not your fault. You’re doing a fantastic job.” Some helped clear their own table of debris and dishes left from the previous guests. One got up and grabbed the coffee pot and began pouring.
Soon, the promised help arrived, everyone exhaled with the server, and laughter and animated conversation was everywhere.
So, that was a cool, and surprising moment. And, yes, it was a common grace on display, something that's deep inside everyone because we're all made in God's image (no matter what anyone believes). But then that reminder: don’t forget to take notes. Don't let the cool and surprising moment just walk by when perhaps God is speaking loudly in it. Because what appeared on the outside to simply be a beautiful picture of common grace may have also been a "pay attention" type-and-shadow reminder of how to live this life as Christ ones: To live and to love others with amazing grace. And the notes were obvious, and quite loud, as the Lord, the Lord passed by with familiar words:
"So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy—set apart, sanctified for His purpose—and well-beloved by God Himself, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in unselfish love, which is the perfect bond of unity, for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others."—Colossians 3:12-14, Amplified
Heaven is all around us, even downtown. Look, take notes, and live….Selah.
“We should be so joyful from God's grace that others would respond by saying, 'I wish I had your God.'”
—Francis Chan
No comments:
Post a Comment