Last year, when we were in Ecuador for missions, we visited an old Roman Catholic cathedral. It was several centuries old and one of the most beautiful buildings I’d ever been in. Huge open doorways at several entrances opened right into the heart of bustling city streets as parishioners quietly sat on ancient benches in quiet contemplation. And as I walked around the house of worship appreciating the architecture, beauty, and art, it was through these doors that I saw a sight that helped me understand my God a little more.
Sitting on the sidewalk a few feet from the open doors was a woman holding a listless boy. The child was too big to be held – perhaps 8 or so – but he was fast asleep. The woman wasn’t begging for money verbally, but her eyes spoke her desperate words well enough. I had obviously seen beggars before but for some reason, that woman with that child in that setting hit me very differently.
As soon as I saw her, thousands of thoughts rushed through my head. First, was the sympathy for her and her child’s place in life. Next was a thought to give her all the money I had, perhaps even going to an ATM to max out my withdrawals. Then came doubt – would the money even go to her or was this some gang-related scheme to prey on donors – was the child even hers? Then guilt – even if she only saw a fraction of the money and some gang does take all her donations, isn’t that worth it, to give her a little? And finally came despair.
God, where are you? This woman, your daughter, sits inches away from your “house” and she is dying. Literally, figuratively, spiritually, she is dying. Where are your angels to protect her? Where is your healing hand to touch her son? Where is the church, your body, to feed your sheep?
And it was at that moment that I understood the desperation for Jesus to return.
We live in a dark, cynical world. Outside the gated communities that we reside in, there is so much suffering in this world. You don’t have to be a pessimist to believe that there is more pain than not in the world. As a suburban, middle class church, this is a thought that’s “out of sight/out of mind” but nevertheless, the truth is the truth. For the majority of this world, life is extremely hard.
If this is all life is, if this is really all we have in this world, then yes, it’s depressing. Just as random as some say religion is depending on where you’re born, then we’re supposed to accept that one’s chance at a somewhat happy well-adjusted life is also based on where you’re born? In the words of the Princess Bride, inconceivable!
This Ash Wednesday we celebrate the beginning of the Lent Season which leads up to Easter, the greatest day in history. Because of what happened on this day, we as the Church, the body of Christ, can say there is hope in Jesus Christ; there will be an end to the pain and awfulness of today. We are not lying when we pick up a suffering child or victim, look them in the eye and say, “It will get better.” Jesus is the reason we have hope. For when he returns, all the tears, all the pain, all the heartache, suffering, shame, fear will be gone forever. And it was this hope that I held onto as my prayer of despair became a prayer of desperation. Jesus… please come back and save your people. Please come back and set us free.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
From Pastor David’s Heart
March 2, 2014