The Human Connection...

There is something simple, familiar, and comforting about the human voice. This last week I was reading down by Lake Michigan (the Ojibwa call her “great water”) and a man named Michael approached me and began a conversation. He was an older fellow from Latvia, and an interesting one at that. I’m glad I met him. As we sat there and chatted, we talked about our lives, our families, and what brought us to Chicago. When we talk we share our lives and give a picture of our real self. There are connections and lasting impressions that are made. Our words carry a lot of weight and show some one who we really are. We live in a world that has a strong idea of what a Christian is, Michael sure did. They see Christians as defensive, judgmental, and unwilling to listen. Christ wasn’t any of these things and we are not supposed to be either. Let our words be kind and our ears listen to their story so they may see the love and value we have for each other not judgment and defensiveness. After all we share a deeper connection than just our voices, we are all created in the image of God. I’m not sure if Michael is a follower of Jesus Christ. What I do know is, that I do not know what is in the heart of a man, only Christ does. I hope that in our conversation he knew I valued everything he said and some how Christ was glorified in that.

com·pas·sion

Jesus found himself walking along a bumpy road at times. In Matthew 14 he finds out that one of his best friends has died. The text reads, “As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone.” Jesus was deeply hurt (the same hurt we feel, he felt as well) and he did what most of us do in those times, try to be alone. What is remarkable though is this:

“But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

Jesus didn’t get to be alone or to just disappear for a while. Being met by a crowd (about 10,000 people) on the shore he had compassion for them; he valued them. He knew what their pain felt like; he was feeling it at that very moment too. He knows what our pain feels like and he cares so very deeply for us. He sees value in each and every one of us and he has compassion for us every new day. Do we see each other like that? Do we really care that much to put ourselves aside and help anyone in any way possible? This week despite my struggles and in my pain I’m going to try to care for others and see the value in every one, just as Christ does; because he values me, even when I’m not all that valuable. Will you try with me?

Tailspun

Somewhere in the hub-bub and buzz of this week I went into a tailspin. Maybe it was due to the whirlwind of the ER visit, resulting doctors visits, and the phone calls created by me sticking my finger into a bicycle crank at work. We all have these weeks when for some reason or another we get sucked up into life’s busyness where we just can’t seem to stop the spinning.

This week I was consumed by my work and worrying about my finger. However, it could have been anything else to send me spinning: a break up, moving, failing a test, a job lost, death of a loved one, or illness. These are only a few things that can send us spinning; some are our faults and others not so much. All I know is that I still find myself spinning, yet when I am honest about my life and myself with Christ my spinning slows down and even stops. He wants to stop our spinning; he wants us to be real. All because of his deep love for us, and his gentle heart. In Christ we will find rest for our souls.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
–Jesus of Nazareth