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It’s a few minutes before my sermon. I am taking photos of children as usual, showing them pictures of themselves on my digital camera monitor. They love it! I look at the ground and I can see their bare, dusty feet. I have seen them so many times, but this sight was different. It struck my heart. I feel I am different. Something is separating me from them.
The next morning, lying in a hotel bed, I understand the difference. They are poor; I am rich. They have bare and dusty feet; I have shiny shoes. They sleep on the ground in simple houses; I sleep in a beautiful hotel. They live in poor Africa; I live in wealthy Europe. They are here for life; I am here on a three-week-long missionary trip. What a strange world!
I think of Jesus. When Jesus came to people, He was not separated from them by His position, wealth, or shoes. He did not come to vacation, eat fruits, take some photos and to show them to angels on His return to heaven. He did not sleep in a hotel, He was not carried in the car. He became one of them. He wore clothes and sandals like any other. He slept in their houses, ate their food, went on foot. When there was a need He gave His possessions and food to the needy ones. He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV). He came as the One who bore the needs of the others in His own heart, as the One who loved them. He came as LOVE in the flesh.
I can not change my rank, hotel, transport, and many other things, but as Jesus did, I can approach people as love in the flesh. And that is exactly what I want! Because love connects those with shoes — with those without. World with heaven. Man with Jesus.
“Lord, open my eyes and heart for people here and back home, too. Give Your love to the stone inside of me and spread Your love through me as well. Thank You for Your goodness, love and grace.”
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