I Met a Man (or Woman)...

Sometimes I find it is easy to grumble and complain about the things that, for the most part, are simply distractions to an otherwise great life. I complain because my feet hurt, but I'm sure the extra 30 pounds they are supporting doesn't help. I grumble because we can't afford to go out and each at a nice restaurant as often as I would like, but consider the fact that I could buy that same steak and potato and eat at home for half the price. I moan and groan when it gets cool and wet outside and I have to give up my lawn work or golf game. For the most part we are a society of groaners and grumblers.

About a week ago I was working early, about 5:00 a.m., and a fellow walked in with a back pack, worn out running shoes, unshaven, unshowered, and about anything else you can think of. He asked, "Do you have any work I could do for a cup of coffee? I'm trying to stay sober." Of course, I simply said, "Let me buy you a cup." We spoke for only a minute and he was gone. I had never seen him before and doubt if I will see him again.....at least in this life. I thought, wow, I'm glad I'm not like that man. I had a shower, a breakfast, all the coffee I wanted and more than I needed. I had clean clothes, drove a car, so I sure wouldn't want to trade places. I suddenly remembered several scripture verses that convicted me. One was "be careful in entertaining strangers for in so doing some have entertained angels without knowing." I remembered how, by the well, Jesus was thirsty and again from the cross. And I thought, what if that man was Jesus? In a sense he was, because he made me see how little I had to grumble about. In fact, when I began to think of my blessings the other things faded into nothingness.

Almost everyday on West "O" Street there is an old gentleman holding a sign asking for help. He is obviously homeless and without money. Sure, he probably gets fed at the City Mission and other places, but when I get home I have a soft sofa to relax on. I take a hot shower, have a fresh cup of coffee or tea and then eat a great meal prepared by my wife. Man, I am glad I'm not like that guy. But what separates us? One paycheck, one tragedy in life? And what if that man is the Christ?

When you look at the old, the sick, the poor, the dying, the homeless, the hungry, the drunk, the drug addict what do you see? Open your spiritual eyes and catch a glimpse of the Christ who took our sin upon himself and carried it to the cross. He became the drunk, the addict, the sick, the leper, the orphan, the homeless, etc. So when you see these people they may be closer to the real Christ than the artist's impression. He was often dirty, had dirty clothes, had no home to call his own, we was a traveler. He was one of us. He is the soldier wounded in action, the grieving widow at home, he is the student who has given up, the teen who is tempted. Where will Jesus come first when he returns? The Jews believe that he will come first to the Mount of Olives. Some believe he will surely show up in on of the high steeple, few people churches. But I would suggest he might show up at the bar, at the crack house, at the track, at the children's hospitals, etc.

If we really want to serve Jesus, let me suggest that we get out of our pews and onto the streets. Find the street corner Jesus, find the drunk, find the sick, the near homeless, the little child. Go to the mission and volunteer. Offer to help your church in it's ministry to the poor and hungry. But you gotta get up from the pew and as the master said, "Go out into the alleys, the countryside," and find those who need a kind word and who will let you see Christ a little better.

I am reminded of a song that says, "I once had to food to eat then I met a man who had no teeth. I once had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet." Lord, forgive me when I grumble and whine and complain. Help me to remember that you suffered unbearable pain for me."

God Bless You and God Bless America!