08/21/2022
Have you ever been in a crowded place when suddenly all the noise and people seemed to fade away? Well, for much of August Ann and I were on vacation, and as our plane was preparing to board passengers, Ann went down the concourse in search of some lifesavers, I was left sitting by myself watching people move up and down the crowded hallway, and wondered about who they were as they were heading to their gates, or making their way to the baggage claim area. Then suddenly my eye was caught by a man who looked a great deal like someone I knew; a chief operating officer for one of the largest companies in the United States.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
I had been watching all kinds of folks, young parents, students, children, and businessmen in suits. But now I looked strictly at the businessmen, and I thought to myself that although many appeared less than impressive in their wrinkled suits, and with faces burdened with the tired expressions of a long week’s labor. These men and women represented an amazing wealth of business acumen; one that for the most part was passing by unnoticed to the masses.
I was contemplating this intellectual wealth that was swirling about me, when suddenly I was struck with the fact that although this was impressive, there was something far greater happening here. Beneath all of the worldly intellect, successes, failures, and the life stories of this crowd, there existed a call to righteousness, a storehouse of spiritual wisdom, the wooing of faith, the lifting of many prayers, thoughts of worship, and visions of God’s glory; all of this was busily weaving itself in and out before my eyes. Here in the hustle and bustle of this microcosm, this crowded place, I saw God’s children as they were making their way through the narrow gate, a narrow concourse. Jesus Christ was speaking to hearts, God was calling out to souls in this place, and His Holy Spirit was boldly at work … in this tiny intersection of life, there was a glimpse of something even more impressive than the worldly intelligence that had originally been revealed to me. Here, in what at first glance appeared to be a rather godless scene, was a revelation of divinity, lives made perfect in Christ, and eternity being made real through grace…here, in this unlikely place was Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, hard at work… all of this in the presence of God, and for His glory.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
So where are each of us today? Are we at our place of work thinking that these are places set apart from God? Are we at a sporting event cringing as a sea of humanity looks like anything but a reflection of Jesus? Wherever we are… where is God? Can we see Him; Can we feel Him moving around us?
“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
2 Kings 6:17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us always, and for opening our eyes to all you are doing in the world around us. As we marvel at your creation Father, never let us lose sight of why you created it, and us… to glorify you. Help us as we search for you in our own lives, just as you help us to find you in others. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who plants in us the seed of faith, waters it with the living water of Jesus, and tends it with your Holy Spirit. Praised be your name for taking the shingles from our eyes, and showing us the angels, and the secret prayers that are rising all about us. Merciful are you Lord for placing us in the company of believers, and growing us in the shadow of your Word. Your grace is sufficient for us, and yet you shower us with your love, kindness, and every good thing. This is indeed the day that you have made, and yet you have placed us in it, and called us your own. Wash us this day, and every day, with the blood of Jesus, and let us see Him in our reflection, the countenance of our children, and the faces of those who surround us. Call us worthy on the day of our judgement and seat us with all the others who walk this narrow concourses of faith. Praised be your name always Father, and hear our voices as we worship you forevermore.
Rich Forbes