Jay and I are currently living in a Mexican town called Zirahuen, and this past Saturday we took a day trip to the nearby city of Morelia. While we were sitting on a park bench admiring the beautiful weather and children blowing bubbles, a man missing an arm and a leg wheeled himself over to us and asked us if we wanted to buy some gum. We brushed him off with a “‘no gracias, lo siento,” and watched him continue on his way.
After a few minutes Jay said, “you know, this man is mentally handicapped, has lost two limbs, and is trying to sell gum in order to survive in a country where people like him can easily fall through the cracks. He could just resort to begging on a street corner like so many others, but has taken the initiative to wheel himself around to offer something of value to people who reject him time and time again.” I watched Jay call the man back over and buy two packs of gum, and during the transaction Jay asked for the man’s name. The man, Luis, was shocked that a gringo would care enough to ask for his name and smiled from ear to ear. I was grateful for Jay’s willingness to see past the surface and show dignity to this man.
Two hours later we were sitting in a trolley, taking a historical tour of the city. We stopped and all got out at a church that looked like this:
Not seeing anything special about this church compared to the others I had seen that day, I was tempted to not go in at all. In comparison to the others, it was quite boring in appearance. To my delight however, all my preconceptions were shattered when I walked through the doors and saw this:
As we left the church Jay and I commented that we never would have known, based on the outward appearance of the church, that so much beauty was held inside. I realized in that moment that the words I had read in the Bible earlier that morning were being demonstrated before my very eyes.
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “here’s a good seat for you” but say to the poor man, “sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2)
Ladies, how often do we show favouritism based on appearance? How often do we give special attention to people who are beautiful, or popular, or smart? God’s word truly came alive to me that day in Morelia, and I know that this is an area I must work on. Let’s look beyond the outward appearance this week and truly love people as Jesus would love them.
Michelle
Krysten Shoemaker Says:
