Okay I hear you now

I'm not a believer in coincidence. I simply don't think it exists. Recently, however, I couldn't help but notice an underlying theme in some things in my life.

It started on Monday. Finished with class and unwilling to partake in the delightful bliss of Atlanta traffic, I stopped by the BCM (that's Baptist Collegiate Ministry to all you uninformed). It's always interesting to meet people in the BCM house. I ended up meeting with a long lost friend--Cheryl. We caught up briefly and ultimately walked away knowing that we had much to catch up on with each other's lives.

In any case, the best part about Monday was my discussion with a gentleman named Sam. Initially, Sam gave me the impression as one of those high energy people that make me uncomfortable. He had so much energy that I basically wanted to ask him to turn it down a couple of levels. But he did...without me a asking. It was a blessing.

We ended up engaging in conversation when things took a turn for the deep end. He shared his feelings about what he likes about the church and what he doesn't. Why he felt many had misconceptions about Christianity and why he wants to change that. Why he loves Jesus so much and why he wanted to share that. The most captivating thing though was that he shared how much needed to be done by the church (that's us) in regards to regular people.

You see, in Sam's opinion, it has become trendy to be compassionate. Going to Africa to help fight aids is cool now. Going to latin America to help build some shelter is chic in modern culture. Plenty of people (Christ-centered or not) are doing it. However, what about the people here? That is, does someone have to be near death and drinking bacteria filled water just to receive compassion?

The burden most intense to Sam are the people that are just plain awkward. The people that you meet that are just a little off. They come off as extremely shy and act kind of quirky. To Sam, Jesus loves them so much.

I walked away smiling at Sam's compassion.


This morning, while reading my book, I read about a woman named Mable. She had a very tragic story. In sum, cancer was a major player in her 25 year residence at the hospital. However, when the author's friend visited Mable, something miraculous happened. Mable was the most joyful person that they had ever met. So, despite Mable's [sad] condition and the friend's [normal] one, Mable was actually the one who was taking care of him. As I read, the pages were filled with stories about how Mable would give a flower or offer some candy to her fellow hospitalized patients. Mable memorized much of the bible and would often finish sentences whenever being read to. It was impressive.


As I reflected today, I realized something very simple. Mable is one incredibly beautiful person. Nevermind the fact that she's 85. Forget the fact that her cancer has formed welts on her face such that her mouth is deformed and she's perpetually drooling.

Mable is beautiful.

That awkward guy that Sam loves meeting? Beautiful.

All the little kids that are on the make-a-wish list? Beautiful.


Here's the caveat...

Osama Bin Laden? Beautiful.

That person who killed your brother cause they chose to drink and drive? Gorgeous.

The unfaithful person who decided to stab you in the back? Stunning.



The parallel is that when you see people for who they are on the inside, you realize that they are nothing short of breathtaking. You realize that there's a genuine reflection of God inside of every single person. They may be as saintly as Mother Teresa or as vile as Hitler. When you strip it all down, we are all equally in need of Jesus.

The things people do are certainly disgusting. Pain is real. When you endure that pain SOLELY because it's the ramification of someone else's decision, the pain is amplified. And it sucks. But then you realize that that's precisely what happened to Christ.

and that's the difference.