A Crazy Thing……
Psalm 116:5 (New International Version)
The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
Last night I did a rare and crazy thing. I stayed up half the night reading. It takes a remarkable story to keep me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. Same Kind of Different As Me is a true story of a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together.
Born out of love for her savior, Deborah begins to serve at a homeless mission where she meets Denver, a stern and distant homeless man. Ron, Deborah’s husband, is reluctant to help with his wife’s new ministry but he agrees. He sees himself as a benefactor to the dirty and reeking in Fort Worth, Texas. However, he soon discovers he is the one in need.
As I read through the night, I marveled over one man’s character. He gives of himself to a mean and angry world that is unworthy and undeserving. His selfless service to those in need screams of a power greater than mere human determination.
Unrequited compassion of one man pushed me to turn the pages. I wanted to know how he could give unfathomable grace to contemptible people. As the story advanced, I grew more in love with the people at the mission and came to realize, a fresh, that God is bigger than any persons past, present, or future. Through amazing, funny, and immense circumstances, God displays His unfailing compassion through this trio of characters.
Chapter after chapter, I became uncomfortably aware of my missed opportunities to share selfless grace with those around me. I thought of my ministry work. Do I serve to honor God or is there self-centeredness in it? Is it my desire to serve only The King and, by the way, mention my name? I realized I want to seek an additional ministry area where I remain nameless.
This morning, I am still deeply affected by the message of this book and the words of Denver speaking to Ron as the story draws to a close: “I was captive in the devil’s prison…. But I got to tell you: Many folks had seen me behind the bars in that prison for more than thirty years, and they just walked on by. Kept their keys in their pocket and left me locked up. Now I ain’t trying to run them other folks down, cause I was not a nice fella…..Miss Debbie was different – she seen me behind them bars and reached way down in her pocket and pulled out the keys God gave her and used one to unlock the prison door and set me free.†(Isaiah 61:1)
Selfless compassion is a powerful megaphone shouting hope to a world reeling with tremendous need. We each hold a set of keys for someone’s prison. Our compassion through the supernatural power of Jesus Christ can unlock the door and set the captives free.
Almighty God, You set us on a path of freedom through the love of Jesus Christ. Thank you. Empower us today with Your love to use the keys we hold to help set other captives free. In Jesus name, Amen.
Be blessed!
What challenges are you facing this week that need supernatural grace from the hand of God? Who are the captives you are praying for? How can we pray for your need this week? Laced With Grace will faithfully walk with you to the throne of our King seeking His love and unfathomable compassion for your life. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
Not only is God bigger than any one man, He’s bigger than ALL of us put together, which is why I think He is capable of working so many miracles in our world. I’m putting this book on my list!!
Thank you Lynn for those wonderful words. Yes, I too have missed many opportunities to serve my King to reach out to the less fortunate. As I am working for a big corporation, I have ample opportunities to share His grace and love with others. Please pray that I will see the need to share His love…
This is excellent. Have to run but know that I got a lot out of this this morning.
Great words, and great reminders. Thank you. I am going to have to look that book up, being the avid reader I am.
I enjoyed reading that this morning.
I would like some prayers for myself. I am dealing with issues with my mom (we havent spoken since mothers day) and I am not sure if I am doing the right thing.
Thanks for your message this morning.
Ah, this spoke in too many ways to count…
Prayer? I’m musing over the possibility of a writing project that would involve actual prisoners… should it go anywhere? I want to hear loud and clear from our compassionate God… for, truly, this one is not something I feel ready to pull the keys out for.
please pray for my son and his wife who are separated. they both so need the Lord and need His grace to unlock their hearts and draw them to His compaasionate heart.
thanks
nancy albao
Very powerful posting! It touched. My husband is going to court with his ex-wife. Pray for me to have the strength to stop getting so angry about this. It is what it is and court is what it is and it has to be traveled! I just get so angry about the lies that are being said, they are shaking the foundations of my marriage! I need help and your prayers to get beyond this in the next 4 months! Thanks!
I really like the verse Isaiah 61:1. It is our purpose for being and goes along with the great commission but also encompasses the compassion we must have for others. With God’s words, we can preach good tidings, heal the brokenhearted, set the captives free and comfort all those who mourn. Thanks for this post!