Aboard the 5 train is where a homeless man lays his head. He does not bother no one. No one bothers him. His favorite activities are not asking people for money or making people feel sorry for him. Turning through the pages of his brown Crossway ESV Bible has become more important than food and drink. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel are some of the books that he likes to read and quote. But there is a scripture that he has been glued to. Matthew 23:12 (ESV) reads, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This man quotes this scripture from the minute he gets up to the time he goes to sleep. Whether it is humming, whispering, or chanting this homeless man meditates on Matthew 23:12 every second, minute, and hour. Those who ride the train respect his faithfulness and are encouraged by his zeal.
A young woman works at a Montefiore Medical Center as a Nursing Assistant. Working the night shift, she dreams of a day when she will be a Program Director helping young women who are at risk. She may not have a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in social work, but her heart for doing the necessary work is on full display. There is no program under her name but there are many that consider her a reliable source. Her two nieces Ariana and Natasha live under the same roof as their aunt. These two mean the world to her. Once their mother died, she picked up the role as their legal guardian. Between work, raising her nieces, and life's hardships this young woman gets on her knees every chance she could. While in prayer she petitions God to order my steps and to align her with people who are assigned to His plans and purpose for her life.
Outside the office of his former place of employment, a 33-year-old lawyer has called it quits after serving cases for thirteen years. For quite some time he has felt this "urge" or "feeling" to drop everything and start a church. A place has been rented. Twelve people make up his congregation. Resources for the advancement of the church is secure. The only problem him and his wife are facing is choosing a name for the church. People from all walks of life and denominations are invited to attend. Before he gets up to preach, he gets on his knees and says a prayer. While in prayer this lawyer-turned-pastor asks God to give him the words to speak to His people. Not his own intellect or his charisma. God's word is all that matters.
Patrolling Edenwald Houses a 25-year-old NYPD officer is thinking on the goodness of God. There have been countless times when the Lord speared her life from bullets and deranged suspects. Her walk with the Lord is not the best. At this point lukewarm is not a term in her vocabulary. Raised in these same "projects" the officer has always been an overachiever. Elementary. Middle school. College. To even the Police Academy. She has always been a fighter and a defender of the innocent. The family in which she was brought up in is one that prays and intercedes. As the episodes flash across the windshield the officer stops the car and cries tears of joy. Stepping out of the vehicle she lifts up her hands and shouts to the top of her lungs, "thank you Jesus."
Lounging and relaxing inside of his brownstone a 23-year-old AI prodigy has been praying, fasting, and reading God's word. He has recently lost his internship at New York University (NYU). It has been reported that the tech prodigy had spoken some words that were deemed controversial during a lecture. Sentiments such as, "you can use AI but do not let it use you" were said according to multiple sources. The young man has a lot of time on his hands. Flooded with sadness and disbelief he continues to ask the Lord how He can use him.
Humility under God's hand looks and feels different according to our human understanding. When God humbles us, He is pruning, reproving, and redirecting us. The result is for God to use us for the purposes of His kingdom. Let us not be ashamed of small beginnings. Whether it be a homeless man who is faithful with a dash of zeal. A Nurses Assistant with dreams of helping young women who are at risk. A lawyer-turned-pastor who has twelve members in his congregation. An NYPD officer who finds her way back to the Lord in the middle of the street. A young man who is a tech prodigy who has gotten himself in trouble for standing on his convictions concerning the dangers and over usage of technology. God can use anybody or anything He pleases. All we have to do is humble ourselves before His throne of grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment