Hard to See
China is a conundrum. One look at China today reveals a society enthralled by capitalism. The signs of Western success are everywhere. Everyone wants to be like the status symbols of America. This goal of China will obliterate the ancient ways as farmland succumbs to bulldozers and skyscrapers. You can walk these streets and think you are in New York or London, except for the letters on the signs and the language on the street. But there is another side to this world. A side much, much more difficult to witness. See below.
We met this man at an entrance to the subway. China has no place for him. He is left on his own. What little help we could give him had to be modified so that he would not be robbed while he sat on the concrete. After we left him, I cried for a long time. The towers of Babylon have nothing to do with the kingdom of God. I wonder why God made me who I am rather than this man who must suffer everyday of his life. Who am I to deserve such favor?
My memory fades and perhaps it was you Skip who once wrote of the largesse of our wealth where we sit. The abundance, the leisure, the life that is filled with ease. The person who wrote of these things we experience as ‘Americans’ tied a thought into the abundance of ‘Blessings’ we seem to relish in. Succinctly, the thought was…what if all this ease of life is actually an indication of how God perceives our strength of faith? What if it is actually US who are the weakest and God knows we might fail a dire test of our faith. What if we are actually and mercifully passed by and all of this is allowed for a time so that we might gather ourselves and one day have the mettle to withstand what this man does and so many do on a daily basis.
What if, as we know one day will occur, time runs out? Who will persevere? This man gives us a clue.
So appreciate this rich food for thought, Rick. I can relate to what you have written as I too often have such thoughts.
“There, but for the grace of God, – go I.” Sir, I am who I am (only) by the grace of God.
Yes, “why me?” What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known? My Bible, tells me why. ~ (Because, dear friends) ~ It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning! Great is Your faithfulness!
Is there more? We have no (earthly) idea, clue or concept! For ~ Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised and His greatness is? “unsearchable!!”
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in His justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in His blood.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than in Heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kind judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful,
we should take him at His word;
and our life would be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.
~ I will sing of the mercies of the LORD- forever!! ~
Thank you, Skip, for doing what you could, to bless this man. And thank you for sharing it with us.
Ditto Gayle.
Poverty comes in many forms. I think that you bless people in their poverty many times when you don’t even realize it.
Thank you Skip for sharing….and reminding us of what it is really all about.
And yet, thank GOD, according to statistics and a dear friend of mine who has established Christian schools in China, there are at present over 100 million Christians in China, more than those members of the communist party in China-praise be to GOD!
This brings back memories of our trip to Southern China.
We saw the poverty of some, and the wealth of the others.
We saw cripples, and some had limbs cut off (done intentionally by syndicates) of kidnapped children from other Provinces, to beg for money to feed their ‘bosses’. We were told by folks there NOT to give them money. We told these kids to wait, we then ran into McDonald’s to buy them food, but they ran away. They would be punished for not bringing back cash for their ‘bosses’ to purchase drugs for their addiction! :- (
I cried so much too while on the trip whenever I saw these kids, some of them were youths.
So touched by the sharing of your feelings, Skip.You are a very caring guy. You are blessed.
Skip, Yeshua pronounced a blessing on those who mourned. All too often I am dry-eyed when I should be mourning. But what causes me to mourn inwardly the most is the condition of the Church, the bride of Messiah. We are exactly like that beggar when we should be like Peter speaking with power and authority to the crippled beggar at Gate Beautiful. Yeshua promised that those who believed on him would do the same works that he did, and even greater ones, and for awhile, while the apostles lived, that promise was at least partially fulfilled. Is that all that Yeshua had in mind? Or is there more, so much more . . .? . . . if we can just overcome the Laodicean spirit/mentality . . .
“. . .you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire . . . and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”