Sept 8, 2004
Ephesians 4:1-3 (New International Version)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Holly and Jenny were eating breakfast together at a local restaurant when a car crashed through the front wall. Several people were hurt and taken to the hospital. Most horrifying to them was the voyeuristic behavior of the crowd – taking pictures of the victims with their cell phones, and crowding in, not to help, but to see.
I remember when the “baby on board” bumper stickers first came out, a plea to aggressive drivers to recognize that their was precious cargo in their vehicles. Drivers have been empowered by their weapons-on-wheels and have grown accustomed to harassing and endangering living breathing people. God’s children are on board, and they come in all ages.
Several times this week I saw people physically pushed out of the way because someone wanted to go first. My brother was in another country where the crowd pressed in, while he struggled to find a safe path out. He feared for his life.
Someone that I love - not so young, not so old - fell recently while walking downtown. Not one person offered her help or checked to see if she was OK.
The crux in humility, patience, love, and a gentle spirit, is valuing people – young, old, male, female, like us, and very different from us – we are each one of God’s miracles; loved by Him, cradled by Him, chased by Him, and saved by Him. Jesus – let us see with Your heart and act out of Your love. Keep us humble and gentle and in Your peace. Amen.