“Human ways are under the eyes of the Lord.”  Proverbs 5:21

“Therefore, do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

I grew up on a farm outside a small town.  Everyone knew everyone.  Neighbors helped each other and brought food when emergencies happened.  Everyone also knew everything about everyone.  I recall a story from before my time.  There is a small country church with a cemetery on the grounds.  There was a man considered a “ne’er do well”, supposedly a heavy drinker.  When he died, the congregation deemed him unworthy to be buried alongside those deemed more pious.  He was laid in a plot, separated by a fence, alongside a neighbor’s field.  Years later, the church needed more cemetery space.  The neighboring farmer donated some of his land … including that lonely burial plot, finally bringing the shunned man to the inside, alongside the more pious sinners.  What was inside that man’s heart?  The congregants?  And the farmer?

 Churches, neighborhoods, nations still put people on the other side of “the fence”– race and culture, behavior and addictions, sexual orientation … income and success.  What is inside the hearts of people simply because they are different from us?

What is inside our hearts?  You and I would be outside, across the fence, along with the pious people at that little country church, everyone, but for the grace of God and our redemption through Jesus Christ. 

Gracious God, We pray others see the love and compassion of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Help us to show mercy as you have so generously shown us, and to love as you have loved us.  Amen

Verla Olson

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party