What matters?

A friend and I were discussing the things of this world this week and the difference in culture and priorities. As we talked we ended up focusing on how churches get into this rut. What do I mean by that? Just that many churches are of the same socio-economic background. We like to be surrounded by similiar people (whether we admit it or not). That's not to say it's entirely bad, because really it doesn't have to be, but when we lock ourselves in to THAT set of people and THAT set only then we have issues.

We often spend more time spending money, having arguments that mean nothing or just plain wasting our precious time/lives being miserable than we do opening our eyes to the people around us.

This friend was sharing with me about how they used to go door-to-door handing out tracts (yes I know, some of you are opposed to doing this, but hang on, I'm not finished) in these "good neighborhoods." Then one year she ended up working with inner-city kids and her perspective changed. It's not that those people in the higher-classed neighborhoods needed Jesus any less, more like, the kids living in the rougher parts of town were in such greater obvious need of love and attention. Her observations were of neighborhoods where "three year olds are walking one year olds across the street."

My heart aches for children. I believe that God placed that in me for a reason--but as I step back from this past week I note some superficiality to the talks I've heard or participated in and I wonder, what does it really take to wake us up? I'd say that the few that read my blog have a roof over their heads, food to eat and extra conveniences... How many of us, in the Christian community can honestly say we've spent more time thinking about ways to help as well as actively DOING different activities to help those less fortunate than we are... how many of us care enough to bring God's love to this dying world?

If you dare, I challenge you to use this sentence as a prayer--I promise you that it will not be a regret, but I also want you to know that it is the hardest prayer I've ever prayed:

"Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." Jim Elliot

Pay attention

Even if you have heard this before, please read through to the end.

“Touch Of The Master’s Hand”
Wayne Watson

Well it was battered and scared,
And the auctioneer felt it was hardly worth his while,
To waste much time on the old violin but he held it up with a smile,
Well it sure ain’t much but its all we got left I guess we aught to sell it to,
Oh, now who’ll start the bid on this old violin?
Just one more and we’ll be through.

And then he cried one give me one dollar,
Who’ll make it two only two dollars who’ll make it three,
Three dollars twice now that’s a good price,
Now who’s gonna bid for me?
Raise up your hand now don’t wait any longer the auctions about to end,
Who’s got four
Just one dollar more to bid on this old violin?

Well the air was hot and the people stood around as the sun was setting low,
From the back of the crowd a gray haired man,
Came forward and picked up the bow,
He wiped the dust from the old violin then he tightened up the strings,
Then he played out a melody pure and sweet, sweeter than the Angels sing,
And then the music stopped and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low he said now what am I bid,
For this old violin and he held it up with a bow.

And then he cried out one give me one thousand,
Who’ll make it two only two thousand who’ll make it three,
Three thousand twice you know that’s a good price,
Common who’s gonna to bid for me?
And the people cried out what made the change we don’t understand,
Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,
It was the touch of the Master’s hand.

You know there's many a man with his life out of tune,
Battered and scared with sin and he’s auctioned cheap,
To a thankless world much like that old violin,
Oh, but then the Master comes,
And that old foolish crowd they never understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought,
Just by one touch of the Masters hand.

And then he cried out one give me one thousand,
Who’ll make it two only two thousand who’ll make it three,
Three thousand twice you know that’s a good price,
Common who’s gonna bid for me?
And the people cried out what made the change we don’t understand,
Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,
It was the touch, that’s all it was; it was the touch of the Master’s hand,
It was the touch of the Master’s hand; oh, it was the touch of the Master’s hand.

Marvel

When I hear that word, I think of other descriptors like awestruck, awe-inspiring, breath-taking, wonderful, magnificent... all of those words revolve around my thoughts of God. And so I say, Marvel, spend a moment thinking about the minutes that make up your day.




Breath in


Breath out



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