Natalie and I were away on holidays, hence the reason for no article last week, and had a fabulous time. We had been saving for quite some time and even splurged a bit on an upgrade to the room. This was the first time in many years that we had taken time out for just the two of us with no appointments or deadlines. Once we hit the ground, the day consisted of us wondering what we were having for breakfast and were we going to start at the beach or by the pool. We had already decided where dinner was going to happen so that was a matter of just showing up. There was a slight problem, however, because when we arrived at our hotel, they informed us they did not have a room for us and we would have to shift to another hotel for three days. They apologized profusely and told us we were staying at a better hotel and they would be back but for us, we just rolled with it, we were on vacation.
We got to the new hotel and realized we were not in Kansas anymore, this was swanky, in fact it was so posh we found out that to eat a la carte, we had to make reservations and there was a dress code. One had to reserve first thing in the morning otherwise they were already booked so we booked early and showed up early for the reservation. Here is where it gets interesting. There was a couple who were waiting for their table and had arrived just before us. They were dressed to the nines and when we were called for our table, one of them shot up and made it known that they were there before us. They had also asked another couple who were going in when their reservation was for. As we sat down, the young couple were escorted to a table just down from us but there was a difference in the atmosphere. You see, Natalie and I were elated with our table, with the treatment we were receiving and with the food. It was a fabulous evening with perfect company. The other two seemed fixated on the fact they were done so wrong by not being treated as royalty and their experience appeared to be rather tainted.
This really got me to thinking of a passage from Acts 3 where Peter and John are on their way to Temple and came upon a man who had been lame since birth begging at the gate called Beautiful. Those entering the Temple would have passed him by and considered him unclean but Peter and John stopped to talk with him.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:3-6 NLT
Here is the thing, this man was considered below all others who could walk to the Temple to be in union with God. He has to be lifted and taken to the gate and removed from there in the evening. After receiving this healing gift, he jumped for joy and then went into the Temple with them. By one miraculous act, he had become equal to those around him in their eyes but consider this, Jesus walked among the lame and the sick, He cleansed them of their infirmities and laid a blessing upon them rather than casting them aside as damaged and full of sin.
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Rom 3:21-24 NLT
You see, when one looks upon others through their own eyes, one judges based on human standards but when one looks at others with God goggles on, one can see past the infirmities and can help others up from their place in life and show them the truth. Money and position can get you a fancy table at a restaurant but when we come to His table, we are all equal in His eyes, we are all forgiven perfectly and completely. Take the time this week to plant a seed of hope in the life of someone you may have considered a write off, the beggar at the gate called Beautiful was thankful that Peter and John stopped, that’s for sure.
This week, Pastor Todd will bring a message fresh from the beaches of the Caribbean (BTW, the white stuff here in Sundre is not white sand, just saying).
Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
