I spent quite a number of hours at a shopping mall today. My son had joined a Christian group who got permission to sing carols there. I thought I would stop by to listen. As I walked into the concourse area, though, I was touched that there was a special area where social work agencies had been permitted to set up stall to sell items made by their people. The agencies represented included the autism group, several groups advocating help for the 'differently abled' and several welfare homes supported by churches. Yes, in the midst of all the noise and commercialization of Christmas, the weak and vulnerable had been given a place. I was reminded that indeed, the poor and needy, the vulnerable always have a place in God's heart ... for he is the God who cloaked himself in human flesh, who walked our human roads, experiencing every human pain and limitation. It is easy to keep Jesus 'divine', out there, rather than in the "muck and mire of our human life" (this phrase comes from a book by Max Lucado). And yet, when we forget the very human side of Jesus, it may be the 'little' ones, those whose voice is seldom heard, who remind us that our Lord is indeed no stranger to human life. Our Lord who is at the right hand of the Father, is always close to each one of us, especially in our vulnerability. This moves me much, for I know how often I forget...how often I try to forget that before God, I am weak and vulnerable. I am not as strong and capable and efficient as I make myself to be, an image I may project to earn the affirmation of others. But, most of all, being Abba's child (the title of a book by Brennan Manning), it is OK to be who I really am....sometimes strong, at other times feeling vulnerable, and needing my Abba's protective embrace. This journey towards Christmas deepens my appreciation of what the incarnation really means...God present "in the muck and mire" of our lives.
I spent quite a number of hours at a shopping mall today. My son had joined a Christian group who got permission to sing carols there. I thought I would stop by to listen. As I walked into the concourse area, though, I was touched that there was a special area where social work agencies had been permitted to set up stall to sell items made by their people. The agencies represented included the autism group, several groups advocating help for the 'differently abled' and several welfare homes supported by churches. Yes, in the midst of all the noise and commercialization of Christmas, the weak and vulnerable had been given a place. I was reminded that indeed, the poor and needy, the vulnerable always have a place in God's heart ... for he is the God who cloaked himself in human flesh, who walked our human roads, experiencing every human pain and limitation. It is easy to keep Jesus 'divine', out there, rather than in the "muck and mire of our human life" (this phrase comes from a book by Max Lucado). And yet, when we forget the very human side of Jesus, it may be the 'little' ones, those whose voice is seldom heard, who remind us that our Lord is indeed no stranger to human life. Our Lord who is at the right hand of the Father, is always close to each one of us, especially in our vulnerability. This moves me much, for I know how often I forget...how often I try to forget that before God, I am weak and vulnerable. I am not as strong and capable and efficient as I make myself to be, an image I may project to earn the affirmation of others. But, most of all, being Abba's child (the title of a book by Brennan Manning), it is OK to be who I really am....sometimes strong, at other times feeling vulnerable, and needing my Abba's protective embrace. This journey towards Christmas deepens my appreciation of what the incarnation really means...God present "in the muck and mire" of our lives. 
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2 comments:
Thanks for letting me know that the awareness of needy peopel, His 'special' persons are continually brought up. May His peace continue in your heart.
And thank you Oli for introducing me to some very 'special' friends, especially Yuen Loong! I believe 'hanging out' with them much, like you do, grows a sensitivity to God's needy ones everywhere.
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