Day of Praise

We, 08/07/13, "Day of Praise"

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." - John 7:24

Round two for this verse.

So, I'm driving down the road. And I see a car full of clothes. No, really! It was full of clothes. And I could be wrong, but I didn't get the impression that this vehicle was headed to the Salvation Army to make a donation. To the contrary, the little, middle-aged lady, whose head laid on the steering wheel and under the clothes, seemed, well, blessed that the Salvation Army exists.

And I thought to myself, "What must it take to live like that?" And then I thought through the list of people who I've met who live in their cars. For each one, there's some mental or physical challenge that has stressed their finances so that their car or truck has become their home. Closer examination of the car reveals more than clothes. There's trash. And a smell.

It's easy to look down on these people. Very easy.

But it's harder to look down on them when you hear their voice. And learn their name. And shake their hand. Thinking you need to wash your hand as soon as possible.

And then, I'll speak for myself, then God cuts my heart and speaks to my heart, saying, "Be careful, Chris. Your car may not have as much stuff in it. But your life has just as much need. For a Savior. Who has compassion. And mercy. And kindness. Who will reach out his hands. With a blessing. With a greeting. On a cross. To help. To forgive. To encourage."

Everyone needs Jesus Christ.

And that's the only judgement that any of us need to be making.

He extended his hand to me. To help me. That I might be the way that he reaches through me to someone else.

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." - John 7:24

Praise God!

(For an archive of "Day of Praise", please visit my daughter Calley's website at http://dayofpraisepc.blogspot.com/?m=1)


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson