It was a disturbing sight-
This man in a wheelchair steadily rolling away-
Away from the onslaught of vile verbal abuse-
Harsh, heartless, hurtful words-
It was ugly.
I wish I could say I did something-
I wish I could say I stopped-
I wish I could write I at least offered-
Offered the man in the wheelchair some small bit of encouragement-
Maybe even a handout.
I kept walking.
That distubs me now more than anything else.
I make my living helping people.
Beyond that-
I have lead service projects from time to time into the inner city-
I have taken the homeless to lunch on occasion-
So what happened this time?
Why the ignoring of this man-
This fellow human being in need?
Well there is the age old cowardice that rises up-
Stepping in could have led to a confrontation with the shopkeeper-
Did I have what it was going to take-
What it was going to take make things work out.
Was I adequate to the task?
Could I risk this whole thing blowing up in my face?
Then there is this unplanned for "inconvenience"-
The disruption of my plans-
My plans for a nice stroll through downtown Memphis.
Plain and simple apathy piled high on fear.
I suppose many things are in play-
But there is one thing that may have changed everything-
One thing that may have led to the right thing-
I am talking about something Father has impressed on me for 2012.
It is something I like to call.........
Flexible Intentionality
I wonder.......
I wonder if I can I begin to live-
Live in such a way that I am ready for anything?
Can I make my plans for a nice stroll on Beale Street-
Yet still not be surprised-
Even disturbed or caught unawares
By anything God allows my way?
Can I walk out the door each and every day-
With all my plans in place-
Yet with flexibility that always allows for.........
The unexpected.
I think if I had been told ahead of time-
Charles this is what is going to happen-
This is the place where you are to play your part today-
Your part for My Kingdom-
I would do much better.
I want to do the right thing-
I want to live a life full of love-
Love for people........
And for our Father who brought these brothers and sisters of mine-
Into existence.
I want the Life of Jesus to pour out through me.
These are my intentions-
Father move in me to be flexible-
Flexible enough to carry out these intentions every moment-
Ready even as I move through the lesser intentions of my day-
Like intentions of a nice stroll down Beale Street.
Amen
Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do,
in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus-
Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
