On a chilly October morning, a Boston church's basement welcomed poverty. The lost gathered here. The church's cellar was the only home they knew. Today, the church beckoned women. And they came. Destitute yet hopeful. A hot meal awaited them - perhaps the only one they had since the last gathering.
They carried with them paper and plastic bags. Carts and walkers held all they held dear. All of their worldly possessions. Scraps to you and I, yet priceless to them.
I wandered into this cellar by chance looking for a way to get inside the sanctuary. Enjoying my first visit to Boston, I wanted to see the interior underneath that breathtaking exterior. So I went from locked door to locked door. Then I saw a woman disappear down a set of old stone steps. I followed.
I stumbled into their darkness, but there was light. The light of smiles, warmth and hearts drawn together. I felt like an intruder into a private home, and rightly so. As I held my Starbucks and looked around, I realized that my coffee represented opulence in the midst of rags. What I had spent on that coffee most likely totaled more than these women saw in a day - or even a week.
I stood dumbfounded, my feet glued to the stone floor. But their light beckoned me. The light was represented by smiles graciously offered to me despite the obvious fact that I didn't belong.
But it didn't matter to them. One older lady eating at a nearby table smiled and asked me what I needed. I simply stared - embarrassed yet amazed. She was there to receive help, yet offered it instead. Her toothless smile was warm and inviting. Almost whispering, I asked how I could see the inside of the sanctuary. She politely gave directions, and then said, "I'm homeless. They feed us each week here. It's such a blessing."
Such compassion rose in my heart that my overwhelmed senses could hardly respond. What incredible kindness exhibited in the midst of desperate need! She had found her sanctuary. It didn't represent ornately carved lecturns or intricately laid mosaic tile. Her sanctuary represented gathering with other women who found themselves in the same position to partake of a hot meal.
I smiled and thanked her for the directions. She responded with her warm smile, "Have a blessed day." In that moment, my mind's eye recalled Paul in prison worshiping. I recalled Jesus on the cross asking for forgiveness for ones who did not know what they were doing. GRACE. This lady's sweet smile shone grace from every wrinkle. She exhibited perseverance amidst desperate circumstances.
Regardless of her current situation, she was gracious. She could have chosen anger, welcomed bitterness, or determined to make fun of my thoughtless, self-centered quest. But she was Jesus today. She was grace personified. Whenever I remember Boston, I'll remember her. I don't know her name, but I'll never forget Who she reminded me of.
Laying Anxiety Aside
I believe we can all agree that the worries of life in general cause us anxiety at times. But let's go a little deeper. I suggest that there are three overarching things (among others) that represent the chief thieves of our rejoicing.
First, we find it difficult to completely hand over the controls of our deepest difficulties to God. It's much easier to hand over the small things, isn't it? But when it comes to the huge things, we tend to dig in with both feet and prepare for battle. Sometimes, only after a long, exhausting struggle, do we finally invite God to take over. We come out on the other side of such struggles oftentimes wondering why we didn't invite God in sooner.
Second, we struggle with the fact that God's timing isn't our timing. Waiting on the Lord for His direction can cause serious anxiety. In our drive-through culture, we're used to getting what we want almost instaneously. Text messaging, iPhones, iPods, and iPads put the information of the world at our fingertips. But sometimes we forget that we have the informatin of the ages at our fingertips, too. However, how often do we live from Sunday to Sunday without ever opening up God's amazing Word in between? In His Word, we find that His timing is always perfect and always in our best interest.
Finally, I believe we struggle with our calling to spread God's love and saving message to the ends of the earth. Oftentimes, we find those nudgings from God to reach out to others to be way outside of our comfort zones. And that can cause anxiety. We may fear rejection and ridicule. But we look at Jesus' life and see that He was a risk-taker. He kept company with those considered "less than" because He knew their need for a Savior. He sets our example and standard.
Being anxious robs us of peace of mind, sleep, energy, time and joy. Luke 12:25 reminds us, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" So this year, I pray that you determine to set aside anxiety. Remember, we don't have to do it alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit in us who enables us to do infinitely more than we are individually capable.
So as we step into 2011, my fervent prayer is that we step in REJOICING and leaving our anxiety where it belongs - at the foot of the cross.
First, we find it difficult to completely hand over the controls of our deepest difficulties to God. It's much easier to hand over the small things, isn't it? But when it comes to the huge things, we tend to dig in with both feet and prepare for battle. Sometimes, only after a long, exhausting struggle, do we finally invite God to take over. We come out on the other side of such struggles oftentimes wondering why we didn't invite God in sooner.
Second, we struggle with the fact that God's timing isn't our timing. Waiting on the Lord for His direction can cause serious anxiety. In our drive-through culture, we're used to getting what we want almost instaneously. Text messaging, iPhones, iPods, and iPads put the information of the world at our fingertips. But sometimes we forget that we have the informatin of the ages at our fingertips, too. However, how often do we live from Sunday to Sunday without ever opening up God's amazing Word in between? In His Word, we find that His timing is always perfect and always in our best interest.
Finally, I believe we struggle with our calling to spread God's love and saving message to the ends of the earth. Oftentimes, we find those nudgings from God to reach out to others to be way outside of our comfort zones. And that can cause anxiety. We may fear rejection and ridicule. But we look at Jesus' life and see that He was a risk-taker. He kept company with those considered "less than" because He knew their need for a Savior. He sets our example and standard.
Being anxious robs us of peace of mind, sleep, energy, time and joy. Luke 12:25 reminds us, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" So this year, I pray that you determine to set aside anxiety. Remember, we don't have to do it alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit in us who enables us to do infinitely more than we are individually capable.
So as we step into 2011, my fervent prayer is that we step in REJOICING and leaving our anxiety where it belongs - at the foot of the cross.
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