Sitting in the barber shop, talking with my friend Karim, I am struck by the starkness in contrast that I see and hear in his life. This young man, 37 years young, looks like he isn't a day over 24. His ethnic heritage finds its roots in one of the African islands along the West coast of Africa, giving him a skin tone of nearly perfect bronze or dark gold. And sitting in the middle of his face are two of the most unique and beautiful eyes the good Lord ever game to humanity. His voice, low and deep, and yet with the smoothness of a crooner, sets one's perception of him as one of the coolest cucumbers in the city. Certainly dust never gets on this man's shoes? And then the shoe DROPS!
In the midst of sharing his elated news that his parole would be coming to an end on Sunday and my admonishing him to be extremely careful while driving his new car, Karim begins to share why I don't need to worry about his decision-making with driving. He makes sure to insist to me that he is not the man he used to be before he went to prison for three years. Trying to sound pastoral or empathetic, or worse yet, not that interested in his past, I say something stupid like, "that was a crazy time for you huh?" Eyes exploding wide open, and body contorting for emphasis, he states, "Rev., you have no idea how out of my mind I was!!" From this point forward, the contrast of Karim's story with what I perceived it to be hit me harder than a hit that Ray Lewis levels on unsuspecting receivers coming acrossed the middle of the defense for a catch. Never saw it comin'!
The onslaught of sinful, but herculean, acts that were reported remind me that the gospel was provided and offered to bring about these types of drastic changes. It is in the world to bring about something out of nothing; to raise the dead to life; to give sight to the blind; to make the deaf hear and the mute speak; to make the lame walk. If these common gospel stories are true, then why am I still surprised? Have I forgotten the power of the gospel? Am I that far removed from its power in my own internal life that I have lost a vision for what the power of God can do? Perhaps. But these encounters remind and challenge me to expect big things from the Lord our God! I am reminded of the words of the missionary to India, William Carey, who said, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." Better yet, we are challenged by the apostle Paul to trust God to 'do more than we can ask or even imagine.' Whoa!!! What a thought; God wants to blow our minds with His awesome power, grace, mercy, kindness, restoration,............... Man, this Christian life sure is exciting!
In the midst of sharing his elated news that his parole would be coming to an end on Sunday and my admonishing him to be extremely careful while driving his new car, Karim begins to share why I don't need to worry about his decision-making with driving. He makes sure to insist to me that he is not the man he used to be before he went to prison for three years. Trying to sound pastoral or empathetic, or worse yet, not that interested in his past, I say something stupid like, "that was a crazy time for you huh?" Eyes exploding wide open, and body contorting for emphasis, he states, "Rev., you have no idea how out of my mind I was!!" From this point forward, the contrast of Karim's story with what I perceived it to be hit me harder than a hit that Ray Lewis levels on unsuspecting receivers coming acrossed the middle of the defense for a catch. Never saw it comin'!
The onslaught of sinful, but herculean, acts that were reported remind me that the gospel was provided and offered to bring about these types of drastic changes. It is in the world to bring about something out of nothing; to raise the dead to life; to give sight to the blind; to make the deaf hear and the mute speak; to make the lame walk. If these common gospel stories are true, then why am I still surprised? Have I forgotten the power of the gospel? Am I that far removed from its power in my own internal life that I have lost a vision for what the power of God can do? Perhaps. But these encounters remind and challenge me to expect big things from the Lord our God! I am reminded of the words of the missionary to India, William Carey, who said, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." Better yet, we are challenged by the apostle Paul to trust God to 'do more than we can ask or even imagine.' Whoa!!! What a thought; God wants to blow our minds with His awesome power, grace, mercy, kindness, restoration,............... Man, this Christian life sure is exciting!