It was the shortest of interactions. Really possibly in reality
a very insignificant event. Hardly worth noting. Except how this man made me
feel. How he cherished my presence as if I were some really special, even
regal, person. Yet there was nothing ingratiating about him, nothing sinister,
sly or sleazy. I felt blessed to be in his presence, yet I didn’t know why. I
just had that intuitiveness about him. He didn’t say many words. I didn’t say
many words to him. But we did work together for a few short moments. And in
those moments, I saw someone work like I’d never seen someone work before or
since.
In the matter of a moment,
just in being with him,
he gave me the example of how I could love my work.
he gave me the example of how I could love my work.
He effused virtue, though I’m sure he wasn’t perfect. But he was
perfect by the sheer virtue that he reeked the humility of owning the truth of
his humanity. He showed no pleasure for things that ought to have pleased him.
It’s as if he saw with the eyes of others.
That’s it. He hardly said anything because he hardly needed to.
He wasn’t dependent on me, yet with every breath he was there, he was there for me. He helped me in the most
intuitive ways. This man spoke to me like I was Jesus, yet because of the way
he treated me he was like Jesus himself. A totally captivating presence.
~
This man who treated me like I was Jesus, because he revered me
in my vulnerability, acted just like I imagine Jesus acted, and to me was just
like Jesus. He showed me how Jesus wants me to behave through the example of
Jesus himself. His example was so compelling, he literally switched something
on inside of me. I haven’t always lived up to this man’s example, and yet I
have to acknowledge this man wasn’t Jesus himself. But there is an enduring
legacy in the interactive experience I had with this exemplar of the Saviour.
He showed me Jesus’ power of repentance in a common, fallen human being.
The man showed me what a Christian is; to actually put Jesus on
in the morning and wear him all day long. He was, of course, the proverbial
good Samaritan. And he showed me, even to those who despise us, we can be a
blessing.
This man’s example is an enduring one. Not only his countenance,
but the joy with which he worked and moved and had his being. It was like he
was just impenetrably gifted with an eternal portion of gratitude.
This fleeting interaction had the touch of God’s Spirit about
it. God literally touched my spirit through my being immersed in this transitory
experience.
A few moments, and from what I saw, I just knew I desperately
wanted more. And ever since I’ve never been able to let go of such an
experience. Now I know it’s my job to be like this man was to me to others. One
experience like this and we never return to the sewer of our selfish lives for
long.
~
Imagine the
witness our churches would be to the world if leaders laid down their lives for
those in their care. Called by God, as shepherds after The Great Shepherd, we
live the death of Jesus for the wounded so the wounded may find the life of
Jesus in us. There, in that, is Jesus!
In
the matter of a moment, just in being with this man, he gave me the example of
how I could live a life of love like he was. Imagine bearing witness to the
change God has made in a person where, through their witness, God begins to
change us.
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