SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY

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  • Walk…humbly

    It is bound to happen.  It happens even to the best of us.  It wasn’t our intention.  We didn’t seek it out.  It wasn’t part of the plan – it just happens.  One day we are reading and studying the Bible and the next, we are going off of what we think it says.  If you grew up in church like I did, you automatically have ideas about the stories contained in the Bible.  If you didn’t grow up in church, you may have ideas of what you have heard or it can just seem like a jumbled group of stories thrown under a cover called the Bible.  And if we are honest, even if we grew up in church, we can feel like it is a jumbled group of stories.  We have big ideas of who God is and what all God would be pleased with.  We may try to figure this out and live our lives according to a set of rules we have pulled out of the scripture to best fit where we are.  We may even feel we are on the right track.  

    This may be all well and good.  This may be okay for a season.  But it is not sufficient if we plan to continue to follow God.  God may not change but we sure do.  And the more we face adversity, we tend to become more defensive, more angry and more determined.  When we are faced with challenges, we may not approach those the best.  Sometimes we feel like we are standing on the promises but all we really are standing on is a set of beliefs we have compiled to justify what we think and feel – and then use to beat others down. Somehow, this doesn’t seem right.  Yet, all too many of us do it.  Believe like me or you are wrong – we seem to say.  Think like me or you are a sinner – we seem to proclaim.  Worship like me or you are doing it wrong.  We hold our banners high but really might find we are flying the wrong flag.  

    But this isn’t new.  This didn’t start in 2020.  This didn’t become a thing recently.  People of faith have often found a way of vigilant, if not violent ways in order to prove correctness.  Our history is full of it.  And it is horrible.  But what do we do?  It seems so simple yet can be one of the most difficult things to do – we go back to the Bible and see what God has to say.  And what he has to say might just stop us in our tracks.

    I want to read 2 sections from 2 different prophets in the Old Testament.  Israel thinks they are getting it right.  They feel good about where they are.  There is prosperity in the land.  Things are going great for them.  Surely God is all over it.  And then…surprise.  God isn’t pleased at all.  Yet they didn’t listen.  I wonder if we will.

    The first is from Amos 5:18-24

    18 Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
        Why do you want the day of the Lord?
    It is darkness, not light;
    19     as if someone fled from a lion,
        and was met by a bear;
    or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
        and was bitten by a snake.
    20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
        and gloom with no brightness in it?

    21 I hate, I despise your festivals,
        and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
    22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
        I will not accept them;
    and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
        I will not look upon.
    23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
        I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
    24 But let justice roll down like waters,
        and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

    And the second is Micah 6:6-8

    6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
        and bow myself before God on high?
    Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
        with calves a year old?
    7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
        with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
    Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
        the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
    8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
        and what does the Lord require of you
    but to do justice, and to love kindness,
        and to walk humbly with your God?

    What is going on in these scriptures?  They both echo what is often spoken by the prophets in many of the scriptures.  This serves as a warning.  It is an eye opener.  It is meant to wake the people so they become the people of God.  But it is harsh.  It hurts.  There is nothing easy about these words.  They are difficult and cut to the core.  

    I hear God tell the Israelites that they are getting the worship part right but their lives are a mess.  They are doing what is right when they enter their places of worship, but messing it all up from there.  They are dirty on the inside but clean up real pretty for worship.  They put on the garments of glory for worship but those same garments are stained and dirty.  Here is the bottom line in these scriptures:  How you conduct your life matters.  What you do every day matters to God.  How you treat people matters.  What you do with your time, talents, gifts and service mean something.  You don’t get to live unethically and pretend it is okay. You don’t get to cheat and lie and feel good about yourself.  You don’t have the option of treating your neighbor poorly and justify it.  Those waters of justice and the streams of righteousness just might wash us out.  They may be the torrential rains that carries us downstream.

    We hear the instructions from God.  We hear that we are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.  And we are willing to do it if it means we are right.  We only buck the system when it benefits us.  But what about standing for those who can’t stand?  What about being the voice of those who have no voice?  When do we do that?  

    We have heard about justice.  We have talked about kindness.  But this morning, I want to consider what it means to walk humbly with God.  To walk humbly means we don’t step ahead of God.  We don’t try to take his spot.  We don’t try to decide what God wants by making people do what we want.  We don’t step ahead of the leader and our only leader being God.  We walk humbly, acknowledging that we are here because God has put us here and loves us.  We walk humbly, not thinking more of ourselves than we should.  We walk humbly so that we can welcome others on the journey.  We walk…but we walk with God.  We do not walk alone and we do not walk as though we are God.  

    To walk humbly is being willing to accept that we may not always be right.  There may be some things we have missed.   There are some things we just do not understand.  That is okay.  It is okay because we are to walk with God.  We don’t have to be right all the time.  We are human.  We will mess up.  God doesn’t.  So when we walk humbly with him, he directs our steps in the right way.  There is something about letting God direct our way.  We can’t become hateful when we are walking with God.  He is directing our paths, not us.  

    To walk humbly means we are looking at ourselves and checking ourselves rather than making judgments about others.  We don’t need to point out the faults of others.  If looked at our own faults, that is enough to keep us busy.  God is working on us when we walk humbly.  And we need to understand he is also working on others.  We are not God.  We worry about us and let God take care of the rest.  We listen to the things God is telling us.  That will be more than sufficient for us to walk humbly.

    Lastly, walking humbly means we welcome others to walk with us.  We are following God, after all.  It means we don’t have the answers, we just know who does.  We don’t need to figure it all out.  All we need to do is follow and invite others to walk with us.  That IS the church – a group of folks walking humbly with God together!

    God is calling us to move forward – with him.  Join in, humbly walking with him.  We will be changed.  Maybe we give up our idea of correctness to walk with him in the only way possible – humbly – Loving God and loving others.  May it begin with me.

  • With Gratitude (Personal Post)

    It was 23 years ago that I made one of the most important decisions of my life.  I stood in a church and watched the woman I would call my beloved walk down the aisle.  It was the day my father lit his robe on fire with the unity candle (which Wendy didn’t even want in the first place).  Side note, he handled it like a champ – as he always did.  He put it out and just kept rolling.  Most people had no idea.  As Wendy made her way towards the front of the church, she was absolutely beautiful – but what I didn’t know is she would become more and more beautiful as the years went by.  And here were are, 23 years later.  I’m not sure many would have put their bet on us being here this many years later.  For so many reasons, it seemed unlikely.  But we are still moving forward together – and I couldn’t be more grateful.

    This is not intended to be one of those sappy posts.  I’m not much for those and neither is Wendy.  This is intended to be more of a gratitude post.  I don’t do this much because Wendy isn’t necessarily excited when I talk about her.  She is the quiet one.  She feels deeply but is reserved.  My Dad swore she didn’t speak more than 5 words in the first 3 years of our relationship.  Then, he said once she started, she never stopped.  Wendy is a gift to the lives she touches and my Dad was as excited as anyone to have her as one of his own.

    I do want to say that I’ve learned so much in our time together.  The lessons I have learned and the wisdom I have gained would not have been the same without her.  We have struggled together.  We have celebrated together.  We have welcomed children into our lives and watched them grow into amazing young women.  We have done this together.  And for me, that has been essential.  It hasn’t always been easy.  There have been so many times it seemed easier to give up than to keep going.  But we chose to keep going.  We kept struggling together.  That has paid off.  Here we are.

    23 years down and as many as God allows to go.  It isn’t perfect – but I wouldn’t want it to be – because then that would mean I wouldn’t be a part of it.  It isn’t always easy – nothing valuable ever is.  It isn’t always what we would want – but it is so much more than we could have ever dreamed.  Today, I am grateful – my heart is full – and my life is joyful.  Thank you, Wendy Mitchell – I love you.  

  • Creation Experiences – Devotion 204

    I am reminded of the sacred when I experience art, in all of its many forms.  Paintings, dance, and music (just to name a few) evoke the unspoken.  There are some aspects that our language cannot contain.  Since we cannot speak them, we must be open to the experience.  I find this speaks so loudly through the arts.  My whole being is altered when art holds space for the sacred.  Dance carries us through a moment we would have missed otherwise.  Music helps to transform a moment and carry us to a different place and time.  Yet, we don’t often think of it this way.  Paintings are just paintings – paint on canvas.  Dance is just a movement of the body.  Music is just a compilation of different notes to make something that sounds good (or not).  But together, these are works of creation.  It is our effort to be more like our Creator – taking something from nothing.  It can beautiful and remarkable.

    You may not be the ‘art’ type – but I want to challenge you.  You don’t need to be the artist type to experience God through creation.  You don’t need to have a keen eye, an attentive ear, or any special training.  You only need to pay attention.  It only takes a moment of your time – but can transform your day.  

    I had a special experience with art not long ago.  I will say that I love and appreciate all different forms of art.  But I also have no special talents.  I am not particularly good at any of it.  I wasn’t sure what to think when the leader of our devotion time gave us pastels and paper.  On one hand, it looked fun.  On the other hand, if there were any expectations, I would be out.  The leader (my friend Stephanie – who is extremely talented and so very kind) invited us into a time of just creating as she spoke.  It was a moment that helped me to relax and just enjoy.  It was valuable to help me to hear the Creator and experience a joyful time through art.  I was hooked.  And I was changed.

    Today, maybe spend some time listening to God through different ways than you may have otherwise considered.  Pick up some crayons and color as you listen to music.  Just be open to God speaking through ways that language cannot contain.  And may you be changed.

    Focus Scripture:

    1 Corinthians 2:9-10

    9 But, as it is written,

    “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
        nor the human heart conceived,
    what God has prepared for those who love him”—

    10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

  • Grace and Beauty Observed – Devotion 203

    It was by accident that I saw it at all.  From the corner of my eye, I could see her moving.  It isn’t unusual to see animals in the fields first thing in the morning.  What was surprising was her grace, her speed, and her beauty.  I had to watch carefully to keep up with her.  I ordinarily would say that she was running across the field and over the road.  But in this case, running does not adequately describe her action.  I was running – slow and clumsy as though it may be.  She was not running.  She was gliding ever so gracefully in a sequence that captured my attention.  She isn’t the first deer I have ever watched, not by any means.  They are everywhere along my morning route.  But there was something special about her.  She seemed to leap without effort and she made no sounds at all.  If I had not been watching, I would have missed her altogether.  It has rained so much and the fields are so full of water, yet she never splashed.  She made no sound as she made her way across the road.  She floated with elegance.  I couldn’t help but think how amazing God’s creation really is – I’m transformed once again.  

    I am drawn to the scripture describing the feet of the deer.  I have a new image.  My understanding of this scripture is altered by the beauty of the feet of a particular deer this morning.  Her quiet grace awakens my senses to the beauty of the deer.  This particular scripture is written in the Psalms and in 2 Samuel. Apparently, this was on someone’s mind.  Today, it was on mine.  It reminds me as I travel this life, I am given strength, security and grace.  There will be challenges, but God has given me what is needed to thrive.  I am simply to keep moving and gliding.  

    God’s beautiful creation speaks to us every day, moment by moment.  But we must pay attention.  The deer could have passed me by, I’m sure like it has many times before.  The opportunity to experience God bring his Word to life is one you don’t want to miss.  Open your eyes, walk softly, and hear God speak.  It might change your day.  It might even change your life.

    Focus Scripture:

    Psalm 18:31-33

    For who is God except the Lord?
        And who is a rock besides our God?—
    32 the God who girded me with strength,
        and made my way safe.
    33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer,
        and set me secure on the heights.

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

  • Bags (OVER) Packed – Devotion 202

    Is it always good to carry more than you need?  It is true that you never know what you will encounter.  You never know when there will be additional needs that arise.  Maybe you follow the Boy Scout motto of being prepared.  You want to always make sure you are ready.  But do you really need to carry more than you need?  Do we really need excess to carry along with us?

    Here’s a challenge for you – go to your bag you carry the most and pour everything out.  I know…heart palpitations already.  But pour it out anyway.  How much of what you see is extra – the ‘just in case’ gear?  My briefcase is full of unnecessary stuff.  I am still carrying around the draft of my doctoral thesis (I spent so many years with it, I feel like I will have separation anxiety without it).  There are all kinds of stuff I don’t need on a daily basis.  But here I am, carrying the extra load. 

    For me, my briefcase mirrors too much of my life.  I have the essentials and I will be okay.  I lack for nothing.  But I have this extra load I carry every day.  I am not required to, I just do.  There are things I need to let go of.  There are things I need to discard completely and forget.  There are items that need my attention I have buried in the bottom so I don’t have to think about them.  There are a few things that bring me joy, but not enough.  It looks like all business, really.  So my load is heavy with things I wasn’t meant to carry all the time.  There are things I should have taken care of a long time ago.  There are items that I can pick up later when needed but are just taking up space for now – valuable space I could use for the things which bring me joy. 

    So today, I begin a little clean up.  It is time for some simply ‘life keeping’.  I need to look at the things which I carry and clean out the unnecessary.  I need to get rid of the excess load so I can freely live and breathe and serve.  I need to fill my bag only with the absolutely necessary so I can welcome in the joys that come my way.  I need to have room in my bag – not so I have room for more stuff – but so I can move about freely and enjoy the journey. 

    Might you do the same today?  It may physically begin with your bag, but may it spill over and free up your life – to really live.

    Focus Scripture:

    Matthew 11:28-29

    28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

  • A Word of Thanks – Devotion 201

    Gratitude should become a way of life for us.  It should already be a part of the way we live, function, and communicate.  When we approach life with gratitude, our perspective changes.  We are seeking things for which we are most grateful.  We are purposely finding ways to express our thankfulness.  We are approaching Thanksgiving, so the month of November often evokes that image of gratitude.  We are given a platform to spring our thankfulness forward.  We have a reason to be grateful – it is a holiday that tells us to do it.  So we take the time to at least make some go at it.  

    But today also reminds us of gratitude.  It is Veterans Day – thanking those who have served our country to ensure the freedoms we basically take for granted every day.  We were able to participate in the democratic process of voting.  So much drama has surrounded the election, but the most amazing part is we have this opportunity to have our voice heard.  Many men and women have fought hard to give us this privilege.  We have the freedom of religion.  This is often misunderstood, in my opinion.  The beauty for me is this freedom allows us all the opportunity to worship as we feel led.  We have the opportunity to choose where to worship and how to worship without fear.  For someone who has grown up in church, this is something I don’t always consider.  But for those who are in this country and have not had this opportunity, I see this freedom in a whole new light.  No one is telling us how we must worship and where.  Regardless of beliefs, we have the freedom to worship.  There are so many more freedoms we experience each and every day.  Today, I am most grateful to have these freedoms. 

    This may just be the day to really focus on all the many things for which we are thankful.  Gratefulness can be extended to God for the air we breathe and the life we live.  It carries through to the women and men who have faithfully served our country.  It should become a part of our views as we meet people who help us throughout the day.  Rather than living as though we are privileged, today we should live grateful. 

    I will begin – THANK YOU!  Thank you to those who serve and have served our country so we can be free.  I am most grateful.

    Focus Scripture:

    Colossians 3:14-15

    14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

  • Time To Get Up – Devotion 200

    What woke you up this morning?  Was it the alarm clock that rang obnoxiously until you finally did get up?  Are you one of the people who wakes up naturally at the same time every day (that’s me!)?  Did you wake up because someone came in your room and got you going? Or did one of your children decide it was time to get up before you did?  

    When my kids were growing up, one of them was always a challenge to get up and going.  I could turn on the light, pull the covers, and yell until I was blue in the face.  Nothing seemed to motivate her to get going.  Wendy is one who likes to sleep until the last possible minute, so her alarm clock must go off 100 times before she stirs.  Our family now has a new type of alarm clock – only this one does not stay on any rhythm and isn’t according to the sun.  Leo decides he needs a treat early in the morning – or he needs his chewy picked up from under the bed – or he needs to go outside at some odd time.  And the thing about Leo – he is persistent.  You will not go back to sleep until he has what he feels he needs.  He’s an odd but cute alarm clock. 

    What if, this morning, you got up because God had a plan and purpose for you?  What if you rose out of bed to see what God had planned for you today?  What if we woke up knowing this day held treasures we couldn’t wait to open?  What if we woke up today like it was the best day ever?  Sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it?  Most people I know would just go back to bed – I mean, why rush it?!  The thing is…God does have an amazing purpose and plan for us.  He had this before we were created and he hasn’t stopped.  It is good.  It is loving.  It does have many amazing treasures.  I wonder what life might be like if we got excited about what God was up to today.  It might just change our perspective.  It might just change our lives.  Maybe it is time to get up – God awaits – and he is the most important part of our day (God and coffee).

    Focus Scripture:

    Psalm 139:1-3

    1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
    2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
        you discern my thoughts from far away.
    3 You search out my path and my lying down,
        and are acquainted with all my ways.

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

  • Not Just An Ordinary Monday – Devotion 199

    You can do this!  It’s Monday morning and you’ve got this.  No matter what is ahead for today, God has equipped you with all you need to face this day.  It doesn’t mean it will be easy.  It doesn’t mean there won’t be stumbles.  But what it does mean is you are not alone.  There will be hints of joy that spring up throughout your day.  There will be moments of unexpected peace that overflow in your life when you didn’t think possible.  There will be encounters of love where you either receive or give God’s love.  This is not a bad day, this is one more beautiful day we are given to celebrate and to live.  We have life and breath and we are given the opportunity to embody this.  

    Today is not the day to dread or fear.  You may be facing test or procedures.  You may have deadlines that loom overhead.  You have may have appointments you dread or places you would rather not be.  Your job may not be your favorite.  But these things do not determine your day, you do.  You have the option of looking for the good (it really is there).  You have the option to see the kindness (it may just be you that is the kindness). You have an opportunity to experience the goodness like never before.  But it won’t start with you dreading this day – or any day, for that matter.

    I don’t know what you are facing today, so I am not trying to downplay the difficulties.  I do know many are suffering.  I get it.  But most every day (if not all) will have some real challenges.  Most days will come with their own heartache and pain.  So you have an option.  Live focused on these things.  Or you can find the good – the joy, the peace, the love, the kindness.  I know good is ahead – I’m hunting for that.  I hope to see you on the journey.

    Focus Scripture:

    Ecclesiastes 5:18a

    18 This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

  • The mat

    His name is Chris.  He captured my attention yesterday – as he did of thousands of others.  Yesterday, Chris completed an Ironman 140.6 in Florida.  For those of you who may not know what this is, it is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, followed by a 26.2 mile run.  One right after the other, in one day, timed.  As amazing of a feat as it is, people complete an Ironman on a regular basis – thousands do this or have done this.  This was Chris’ first.  And he did it.  We had someone from Goldsboro who completed it yesterday named Josh.  It is something you train for and work for and still there is a possibility of not completing it.  Yet, Josh did it.  And Chris did it.  Prior to yesterday, I had not heard of Chris.  But I know of him now.  It isn’t because Chris was the first through the finish line.  He didn’t break any time records.  He was a male who completed Ironman Florida.  Yet, he was also the first person with Down Syndrome to ever complete an Ironman.  That’s right, Chris has Down Syndrome.  And Chris completed a nearly impossible feat.  Chris is an Ironman.

    At some point, he had a goal.  He had people who believed in him.  He had a coach that was willing to train him and guide him through the entire course.  But Chris had to complete the whole thing under his own power.  Someone saw something in Chris beyond being a young man with Down Syndrome.  Someone saw an athlete.  And now, we all see an incredible athlete.  

    A couple of weeks ago, a song was stuck in my head.  That’s not all that unusual, I think in songs.  At work, we communicate in songs.  But this particular song continued to play over and over again.  I looked it up on YouTube so I can hear others sing it.  I thought it was stuck in my head because of Robin’s baptism.  But turns out, it was stuck in there much longer.  And there is a powerful message.  It is a Negro Spiritual from the late 1800s and early 1900s.  While it is believed to be a song to help slaves navigate as they escaped, it also alludes to two different scriptures – one of Moses and the other, we will look at today.  This song brings me here.

    John 5:1-9

    5 After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

    2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

    The song goes – Wade in the water – wade in the water children – God’s gonna trouble the waters.  Here is a man at the edge of the water, but not wading.  And Jesus asks an interesting question. Can you imagine the thought of the man who has been approached by Jesus?  First, can you imagine Jesus even making his way through a group of sick folks.  He could look from a distance and think about those poor, pitiful people.  He could pass them by and avoid being unclean – it was the Sabbath after all.  He could have ignored they were there – religious people had been doing this for years.  But he didn’t.  He went there, on purpose.  He had something to do.  He had to see people.  

    And there was a man who John records has been sick 38 years.  That’s a long time to sit by the water.  He has been there so often, he has a place, his own space.  This is his home – but he is only steps from the promise. He can’t move forward because he has been stuck in hopelessness.  He doesn’t see a possibility to move from where he is.  He has reached his destination – and it is devastating.  The legend of the water is that when the angel stirs the water, the first in becomes healed.  He just wants his shot at it.  Yet, every time the opportunity comes, he is passed by.  You can imagine after 38 years, one just feels like it will never happen.  He is there to stay – to watch others reach the water first – to watch others find healing while he sits and waits, never to be healed.  

    Yet, Jesus asks him what seems to be a question with a glaringly obvious answer – do you want to be made well?  Think about it – Jesus asks a man that has been sick for 38 years if he wants to be made well.  While it seems this is a ridiculous question, Jesus doesn’t just ask things for no reason.  He isn’t trying to ridicule him.  He isn’t trying to insult him.  He needs this man to consider – do you really want to be made well?  Do you really want to move past this?  Because when you are living in the land of hopelessness, you may not even know what it means to be made well anymore.  Because your mat becomes your comfort and being well becomes the impossible.  It has long been put out of his mind as a possibility.  It likely hasn’t even been a part of his thoughts for so many years now.  

    Hopelessness, defeat and dismay can easily become the norm.  When I looked at this guy in the past, I wanted to tell him to move closer to the water.  I wanted to tell him how to reach the water first.  I wanted to teach him how to move his mat so he could be the most agile even despite his illness.  I wanted to see him reach the water and couldn’t, for the life of me, understand how he could just sit there while others received the healing.  That is, until I experienced what hopelessness feels like.  It is emptying.  It is defeating.  And it runs so deep that all desire to move forward has been drained out of you.  And then I got it.  He couldn’t get to the water, not because he didn’t want to, but because he didn’t know how.

    When you have sat on the mat for so long, people see you as belonging on the mat.  This man had sat on the mat for so very long that he became ‘the sick man’.  His life was lived as the sick man.  His identity was the man who was sick.  He lived so close to healing but would never make it because he would always be the sick man.  Why would anyone help him because being sick was who he was?  Why would anyone offer hope – he had lost it – so why wouldn’t everyone else believe he was hopeless too?  Yet, Jesus didn’t define him by his illness.  His mat was not his home.  This was not his final destination.  There was life off the mat – even if the man couldn’t see it and the people around him couldn’t see it – God could and God did.  

    Jesus looked at the man and saw him.  He was not the sick.  Those people gathered around that water were not the blind, lame, helpless forgotten people.  To Jesus, they were the beloved.  They were children of God.  So he asks him – do you want your hope restored because I see so much more in you than you see in yourself?  Do you want to see what life is really like off the mat?  Do you want to break the barriers placed by the people around you?   Do you want to see what it is like to not be defined by the mat and this illness?  If that’s a yes, pick it up and let’s go.  And he did.

    If you know the story, you know this is not the end.  The man is questioned and Jesus gets into a lot of trouble for this.  He gets in trouble because he healed on the Sabbath.  The man gets in trouble because he picked up his mat – against the law because it is defined as work on the Sabbath.  They get in trouble because they saw beyond the rules of the day.  The religious people were furious that a man who had been sick for 38 years was healed on the wrong day.  I wonder how many of the rules we have made up in the name of religion Jesus would break today?  And we would be mad about him making people well.  Don’t be upset at those religious leaders because that defines way too much of the church today.  Follow the rules, forget the people.

    But ultimately, the man got up because the mat was not his home.  Even though people had placed him there and told him to stay…you are the sick man and this is where you belong…Jesus saw more.  The story about Chris that I started with in the beginning – I don’t know Chris, I have just followed his journey.  But I can only imagine the people who told him he couldn’t do it.  I can only imagine those who would have said that it was too much for him to attempt.  I can hear people tell his family about how he could hurt himself or this would put too much strain on him and they weren’t caring for him.  I don’t know his whole story  – but I hear this kind of thing all the time in different circumstances.  We want people to be who we want them to be – even if it means they stay on the mat.So if you find yourself hopeless on the mat today, I encourage you to look up, Jesus stands before you to show you a new way.  If you know of someone on the mat that has lost all hope, love them, see them and encourage them.  You can’t pick them up but you also shouldn’t be the one holding them down.  Wherever you may find yourself this morning – the mat is not your home.  God has so much more planned – and it might just take breaking the rules in love.  Take up your mat and walk, God has beautiful things planned for his people who follow him.  Rise up, there is still good to be done. 

  • We Don’t Know – devotion 198

    We think we know.  We may even feel confident in it. We label people because of what we see on the outside.  Lazy, hopeless, dumb, helpless are just a few.  It goes the other way too – rich, successful, intelligent, wise. We define people by the things we see.  But we don’t know.  We don’t know what goes on in their homes.  We don’t know what they are struggling with in their lives.  We don’t know the hurt or frustration or anger bubbling up under the surface.  We don’t understand how their past has haunted or shaped them.  We don’t know they lash out because they are so wounded inside.  We don’t know that it appears they are wealthy but in reality they could lose it all in the blink of an eye.  We don’t know they suffer from insecurity or they are held back by the despair that overwhelms them.  All we know is what we see and that isn’t very much.  

    Yet, we find ourselves quick to make judgments.  We can easily decide the character of people without actually getting to know them.  We can lump people together in a big group so we can avoid all of them or identify with all of them.  Yet, we don’t know.  My Dad often told me – everyone puts on their pants the same way.  In other words, we are not as different as we want to pretend we are.  We are humans.  We are made in the image of God.  We are loved by an incredible God who sees us and knows us and still loves us.  He doesn’t care about our outward show.  He cares about our heart.  Yet, we often don’t get to know people enough to know anything about their heart.  We just want to make decisions based on what we see.  We don’t know.

    Since we don’t know, be kind.  It is simple.  It really is one of the most powerful things we can do and doesn’t take much effort.  But since we don’t know, don’t make judgments – just be kind.  Kindness reaches across barriers.  Kindness opens doors.  Kindness encourages community.  Kindness opens arms.  

    Since we don’t know – just be kind.

    Focus Scripture:

    Galatians 5:22-23

    22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

    Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery