A Broken Man
It's day one of my sabbatical so today I created a chart to track my goals. On the chart I have listed a series of things like, Bible, walk, read, etc., and I plan to check them off daily if I completed them. Not every goal is to be accomplished daily, so I will check those goals off when the time is right.
Today I've already checked off Bible, walk and read... and now I am blogging!
Last Wednesday I went to an air show in my city that is sponsored by the Rotary Club. It is a fun event each year and I usually take a couple of my friend's kids along. This year was no exception and I also invited a neighbour to attend.
As we were entering the parking area of the show a gentleman volunteering approached the car to take the parking fee from me - $10. I immediately recognized him as a local pastor that I had heard about, but had never met personally. As I gave him my $10 I introduced myself as the worship pastor of another local church. The long line of cars behind me waiting to park didn't permit us time to talk more but it was a friendly exchange of "nice to meet you" nonetheless.
Two days ago, while I was reading my newsfeed on Facebook, I saw a headline that caught my attention: Prominent local minister faces sex charges. Needless to say I immediately clicked on the link with my heart in my throat. Was it someone I knew? Someone I had worked with in our city? And, God forbid, someone from my church?!
It was the pastor I met at the air show. And although I read the news article in disbelief my heart was broken - broken for the young victim, and broken for a man who may or may not be guilty, even though the "jury" is out and has already sealed his fate.
Job 30:24 says, "Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man..." - unfortunately the complete opposite seems to take place in our culture. We kick 'em when they're down, and then kick 'em some more.
Now hear me out. This pastor might be guilty, deserving punishment for his alleged crime. But he also might be completely innocent, which will never be the case in some people's minds regardless of the verdict.
Part of the reason I am taking a sabbatical is because I, too, am a broken man. I think in some ways we are all broken. And often our brokenness causes us to sin - or do things that are out of character for us. Which is why the first scripture I read this morning during my time with God was so encouraging:
I don't believe in coincidence, so I don't believe it was a mistake that I met that pastor last week. And although I cannot "care" for him at this time in my life, perhaps a day will come when God will allow me to extend His grace to that broken man. Grace that is greater than all his sin.
Today I've already checked off Bible, walk and read... and now I am blogging!
Last Wednesday I went to an air show in my city that is sponsored by the Rotary Club. It is a fun event each year and I usually take a couple of my friend's kids along. This year was no exception and I also invited a neighbour to attend.
As we were entering the parking area of the show a gentleman volunteering approached the car to take the parking fee from me - $10. I immediately recognized him as a local pastor that I had heard about, but had never met personally. As I gave him my $10 I introduced myself as the worship pastor of another local church. The long line of cars behind me waiting to park didn't permit us time to talk more but it was a friendly exchange of "nice to meet you" nonetheless.
Two days ago, while I was reading my newsfeed on Facebook, I saw a headline that caught my attention: Prominent local minister faces sex charges. Needless to say I immediately clicked on the link with my heart in my throat. Was it someone I knew? Someone I had worked with in our city? And, God forbid, someone from my church?!
It was the pastor I met at the air show. And although I read the news article in disbelief my heart was broken - broken for the young victim, and broken for a man who may or may not be guilty, even though the "jury" is out and has already sealed his fate.
Job 30:24 says, "Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man..." - unfortunately the complete opposite seems to take place in our culture. We kick 'em when they're down, and then kick 'em some more.
Now hear me out. This pastor might be guilty, deserving punishment for his alleged crime. But he also might be completely innocent, which will never be the case in some people's minds regardless of the verdict.
Part of the reason I am taking a sabbatical is because I, too, am a broken man. I think in some ways we are all broken. And often our brokenness causes us to sin - or do things that are out of character for us. Which is why the first scripture I read this morning during my time with God was so encouraging:
A bruised reed He will not break,and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.~ Isaiah 42:3
Without God, where would any of us be today? "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions (or mercies) never fail. They are new every morning..." [Lamentations 3:22-23]
And every morning, every waking day, I need God to be merciful to me, a sinner. That is the beauty of the grace and salvation that God extends to us:
And every morning, every waking day, I need God to be merciful to me, a sinner. That is the beauty of the grace and salvation that God extends to us:
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
~ Romans 5:8
I don't believe in coincidence, so I don't believe it was a mistake that I met that pastor last week. And although I cannot "care" for him at this time in my life, perhaps a day will come when God will allow me to extend His grace to that broken man. Grace that is greater than all his sin.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
~ Julia H. Johnston
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on Monday, September 01, 2014 at 8:52 PM.
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