Make 2014 a year for sharing
“The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish
leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law
forbids you to carry your mat.”” – John 5:10
He sat on the curb in his worn shoes and torn jeans with holes throughout. He hands were covered in the dirt and grime from years of disregard. He wore a baseball cap that had long faded and dark sunglasses that hid his blindness. As he heard footsteps, he would lift his cup, but his voice no longer had the energy or desire to speak. When the rains came, he would rise, steady himself and manage to walk along the edge of the curb, in traffic, to the overpass, where he would sit until it passed. And so, his life had been for 38 years. He would beg during the day and sleep under the stars each night. The little that he received each day would afford scraps of bread and perhaps a cup of coffee each day at the little corner store.
On the opposite side of the road, rising above the overpass, and this man’s small corner of the world was a steeple. The church had been there for over 20 years and thousands had come and gone every Sunday, Wednesday and other days throughout the week. His blindness kept him from knocking upon their door for these many years. The church was right there, less than 100 yards away and yet to him it might as well have been 100 miles. His ailment, his handicap had prevented his awareness to seek help, love and assistance from the compassionate followers of Jesus Christ. But, where were they in fulfilling their purpose?
Periodically, he would get a rush of passersby that would stimulate his begging even more, but in his blindness he could not detect that they were heading to/from church. His receipts would generally go up during those times, as the clank of coins hit the bottom of his cup. There were times when he could hear footsteps, and then make out soft voices saying, “No sweety, we don’t have time to stop, we’re going to be late” or “No honey, if we give to him, he’ll just waste it on drugs or alcohol.” The comments had made him bitter over the years, so he simply chose not to engage people any longer.
Then one Sunday morning, as people walked past on their way to church, something happened. A new member of the community had come to the church for the first time. As he walked past the beggar, he stopped, knelt down and placed his hand upon the man’s shoulder. In response the blind man raised his cup, but the stranger, gently lowered the beggars arm and leaned forward. He whispered in the man’s ear and then helped him to his feet. He placed one arm around the blind man’s back and propped him up. People kept passing, some making comments under their breath, others just staring in disbelief.
The stranger helped the beggar across the street, and down the sidewalk to the front door of the church. Walking inside, the two of them sat in a pew near the back. Those around them covered their noses from the stench of the blind beggar clothes and hygiene. The sermon that morning was on loving others as God loves you, not because you deserve it, but because He offers it. His love is not dependent upon your state in life, your possessions or your back account, it is free and available to every man, woman and child equally. And likewise, we are called to love others in the same manner.
He sat on the curb in his worn shoes and torn jeans with holes throughout. He hands were covered in the dirt and grime from years of disregard. He wore a baseball cap that had long faded and dark sunglasses that hid his blindness. As he heard footsteps, he would lift his cup, but his voice no longer had the energy or desire to speak. When the rains came, he would rise, steady himself and manage to walk along the edge of the curb, in traffic, to the overpass, where he would sit until it passed. And so, his life had been for 38 years. He would beg during the day and sleep under the stars each night. The little that he received each day would afford scraps of bread and perhaps a cup of coffee each day at the little corner store.
On the opposite side of the road, rising above the overpass, and this man’s small corner of the world was a steeple. The church had been there for over 20 years and thousands had come and gone every Sunday, Wednesday and other days throughout the week. His blindness kept him from knocking upon their door for these many years. The church was right there, less than 100 yards away and yet to him it might as well have been 100 miles. His ailment, his handicap had prevented his awareness to seek help, love and assistance from the compassionate followers of Jesus Christ. But, where were they in fulfilling their purpose?
Periodically, he would get a rush of passersby that would stimulate his begging even more, but in his blindness he could not detect that they were heading to/from church. His receipts would generally go up during those times, as the clank of coins hit the bottom of his cup. There were times when he could hear footsteps, and then make out soft voices saying, “No sweety, we don’t have time to stop, we’re going to be late” or “No honey, if we give to him, he’ll just waste it on drugs or alcohol.” The comments had made him bitter over the years, so he simply chose not to engage people any longer.
Then one Sunday morning, as people walked past on their way to church, something happened. A new member of the community had come to the church for the first time. As he walked past the beggar, he stopped, knelt down and placed his hand upon the man’s shoulder. In response the blind man raised his cup, but the stranger, gently lowered the beggars arm and leaned forward. He whispered in the man’s ear and then helped him to his feet. He placed one arm around the blind man’s back and propped him up. People kept passing, some making comments under their breath, others just staring in disbelief.
The stranger helped the beggar across the street, and down the sidewalk to the front door of the church. Walking inside, the two of them sat in a pew near the back. Those around them covered their noses from the stench of the blind beggar clothes and hygiene. The sermon that morning was on loving others as God loves you, not because you deserve it, but because He offers it. His love is not dependent upon your state in life, your possessions or your back account, it is free and available to every man, woman and child equally. And likewise, we are called to love others in the same manner.
Your path
will cross with 100’s of people each day.
Isn’t it about time you started to love them and care for them in the
same manner God loves and cares for you?
In their blindness to His truth, they are looking at you to see if it’s
real. How will they see God in you if
you aren’t able to demonstrate it for them.
If you claim to be a Christian, then you ought not be embarrassed or
hesitant to tell the whole world about the good news.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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