As we saw last time, goodness and love can only be found through the One
who demonstrated genuine love on the cross. He is the One who promised
to send us His Holy Spirit to live in us, and He would be the One to
guide us to the way of true love and goodness (See John 16:13). After
all, the anointing of oil in Psalms 23 refers directly to God's Holy
Spirit! "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence
of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came
powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah." (1Sam 16:13, NIV2)
Last year, while rehearsing for an Easter play at our church, my
wife had a brief and painful encounter with a church pew. She and her
fellow cast-members were running down the aisle shouting "Crucify Him!
Crucify Him!" But before she knew it, she had a big goose egg growing on
her left side of her face and a couple of cracked ribs. People around
her encouraged her to go to the hospital. She declined. "If I go," she
said, "I will never be finished in time for the play tonight!" Love and
goodness were filling her heart, for she wanted to share with others how
much God loves us. She certainly couldn't do that in the ER department
of the local hospital!
I didn't see my wife immediately upon my
arrival at the church that evening. In fact, I didn't see her until she
came out on stage. I immediately noticed something unusual about her
face, but at the distance and in the dim light, I just assumed it was
make-up.
After the play, several of the cast members came up to
talk to me. One was the person playing Jesus. He didn't tell me about my
wife's encounter with the pew. Neither did her "husband" in the play.
The one to tell me about my wife's fall was the one who played the part
of the devil...And he was very clear: "You should bring her to the
hospital now." This guy tends to be a teaser, and I thought he was
pulling my leg. But when I finally saw my wife close up, I was shocked!
Why hadn't I noticed that huge, purple bump?
After several hours
of waiting in the hospital lobby, she was eventually taken care of, and
for the next two days, even though the black eye spread across to the
other side of her face, she continued performing in the play. She even
changed the script slightly to fit her circumstances! Nothing would stop
her from being a witness, and this touched the heart of many. When faced
with such a monstrosity decorating our faces, most of us would have
hidden away from the public eye, but she didn't. This is what happens
when we are filled with the love from above. We can't help but shine!
Just be careful the next time you go to church. These pews sure can
be vicious!
Rob Chaffart
An Encounter with the Pew. Devotions from the Psalms (23:5b)
Today's Bible Verse:
"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." (Ps 23:5b)
An Encounter with the Pew. Devotions from the Psalms (23:5b)
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