Moved With Compassion

A facebook friend posted this video last week and the message of it hit me like a train. It was like looking into a mirror. Sadly, many days someone could follow me around and make a reality video just like it. I'm so busy "living my life for God," but in the meantime, I'm frustrated and annoyed with people. I look past them as I rush about doing my thing and glare at them when they get in my way or don't meet my expectations. I'm in my own world.

So different than Jesus, the One I'm supposed to reflect. No matter how busy he was or how many things were competing for his attention, he always took the time to stop and see people. He would look out upon a crowd and be moved with compassion. Or see the one person in a throng who needed a personal touch or word.

There was a time in my life when I was more sensitive to these opportunities. I had time to stop and see and help...

• The homeless woman sitting outside the grocery store who just needed someone to listen and pray. 
• The injured woman outside the hospital who had previously been mugged, beaten, and left for dead who needed a ride and some encouragement. 
• The old man who had been hit by a bus and needed someone to take him to the hospital. 

Those were precious, holy moments to me, and, I believe, to the people I was moved by God to help. They were moments ordained by Him. I miss them.

How many of those moments have I passed up in my hurried, scattered life? I'm so worried about getting things done efficiently and not being inconvenienced while I'm doing them. Am I really pleasing God in the way that I serve him? Are the things that I do even important to Him? I accomplish many things "for the kingdom," but in the meantime, people often come second or not at all. It's not that I wouldn't stop. It's mainly that my busy life closes my eyes to the things I might otherwise see.

Lord, among your followers this should not be. Forgive me for neglecting your people and give me Your eyes to see and the conviction to act. Change my heart, my priorities and my lifestyle so that I might live according to your perfect will.

If He Can Do It, So Can I

"While sitting in a chair...I became aware that a personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself and sat in the chair next to me. Every word he uttered...showed a personal and vital interest in the man who was serving him...
     Moody was in the next chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he left and noted the singular effect his visit had upon the barbers in that shop. They talked in undertones. They did not know his name, but they knew that something had elevated their thought. And I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.
     Woodrow Wilson witnessed and experienced Mr. Dwight L. Moody's extraordinary ability--many said supernatural ability--to captivate people and usher them into the presence of Jesus Christ."

                                                                  A Passion for Souls, p. 20

This excerpt from A Passion for Souls, a biography of D.L. Moody, nearly brought me to tears. It stirred my heart to think that a person--just by the way he relates to others, how he carries himself, how he speaks--can change the entire atmosphere of a room and make it holy. What influence. 

The thing that strikes me about this scene is that Moody isn't trying to impress anyone; he's just going about his everyday business. He's not out doing a ministry gig either, acting the part of the preacher. This is who he was--an authentic guy who loved God and people. In that ordinary place he was the fragrance of Christ, and people noticed.

Being in the presence of someone like this is exhilarating and challenging (in a good way). On the few occasions when I have been with someone like this, I've been urged in my spirit to be like that person. I've tried to figure it out. What do they have? What do they do? How can I get it? And the answer is simple.
     Be in the presence of God.
        Sit at His feet.
           Learn from Him.
                Submit to Him.
                    Die to myself.
     Simple? Not really. But doable, yes.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)

Finding Treasures

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12)

Wow. I don't even know where to begin today. In my devotions this morning I read Mark 6. This passage was so packed with treasures that I couldn't decide which to focus on. I will continue to ponder and study it and see what I learn.

In the meantime, I'm bubbling with excitement as I think about how amazing God's Word is. I am reminded of a recurring dream that often I have. In it, I am walking down a city street. My eye is attracted by something shiny. It's a coin--just a penny, but I pick it up anyway and it leads me to another coin and another, until eventually I am collecting bills. With every step I find more money and each time the dollar increment increases! By the time I wake up I have a nice sum of money.

I think God's word is the same way. As I read it, many times I'll see something that catches my eye. Then I'll look a little closer--follow a cross reference, look up a word--and find something more valuable and on and on until I have mined the treasure that God has for me that day. (Sadly this doesn't happen to me every day, but I'm so delighted when it does.)

Jesus Amazes

"They were overwhelmed and totally amazed."                                             (Mark 5:42b)

Jesus raises a daughter and parents are amazed. Jesus calms the raging sea and people are astonished. He teaches with authority from heaven, and again, people stare in wonder. God does big things and people take notice.

I love it when Jesus does big things for me. But, I'm more amazed and humbled by the little things he does to let me know that he is involved in every detail of my life. I recently read in Psalm 37:23, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." That moves me. God not only cares, but he delights in every detail of my life. He takes pleasure in my life and the things that matter to me.

I have seen this played out time and time again since the day I set my heart on God and started paying attention to his movement in my life. Like the days I wake up feeling depressed and alone and only God knows. But after pouring my heart out to him only, an encouraging phone call or card comes from someone who just wants to let me know they love me. Or the thought pops into my mind that I need a new this or that, and out of nowhere someone gives me one. Or I read the Bible and the words jump off the page to me because they answer a deep longing in my heart.

God is real and he delights in every detail of the lives of those who love him. Pay attention and be amazed.

No Pressure

I know. These days everyone has a blog. I've had them before and rarely posted to them. That's why I named this one Whenever the Spirit Moves. It takes the pressure off. I only post when the mood strikes. I hope you enjoy what you see.