Hungry and Hurting - Changed...

I hooked up with an old friend a few months back.  We started spending some time together, and I distinctly noticed this isn't the guy I used to know.

His bold arrogant personality is now quiet, gentle, observant and soft spoken.

Where there was once a constant treat of dry arrogant cynicism, there was now meek words of tender encouragement.

Then one day he floored me...  This once stingy tight wad of a guy and I walked into a local quick serve burger joint.  We stood at the back of the line, and he just quietly watched.  Silently, soberly and slowly scanned over everyone there.

Then he walked past me and all those people, went up to the counter and asked for the manager.  I figured, OK, here we go, my old friend is about to resurface.  

The manager came out, my friend bent over counter and quietly spoke something to the manager...  The manager's face reflected shock and confusion.  Then my friend handed the manager something, he looked down, as he looked back up at my friend, his face reflected a wondrous smile.

My friend then shook his hand walked away from the counter, grabbed my arm and escorted me out the door.

Puzzled, confused and hungry, I asked, is the food bad in there?  No, no he said the food is OK.  Well, I am Hungary I said firmly...  He smiled, and said OK let's go up the road a little ways.

As we sat in the car, I said what gives there?  He then asked me, did you see that guy in there with the beat up coat, and the two little girls with him with the torn coats?  Yeh, I saw them...  Well, he was searching his pockets and counting all his loose change...  They were hungry my friend, very hungry, so Jesus just fed them...

My eyes instantly filled with tears, my heart instantly skipped a few beats and both  joy and hurt filled my emotions to overflowing...

The Joy of seeing the True Christ in this changed man, and his meek selfless act of Christian Charity towards these dear poor folks he has never met, not to mention the witness to the manager.

The hurt was for my own slightly hardened heart towards the physical and Spiritual need that is around us all everyday that goes un-noticed...   Oh we see it, but the culture conditions us to look past it...

True Christianity changes the man from the inside out...  In many folks the change / sanctification is slow and steady.  In others it's an overnight transformation.  The point being, true conversion, true belief, true trust in Christ starts in the Heart and is reflected in the actions & energy provided by the Holy Spirit.

This man's life is changed, he shines the Light of His Savior to those around him in deed and kind words...  He speaks The Truth meekly, but matter of factly.  His focus, no, his Spiritual gaze is Heavenly, while his Hearts work is the suffering and lost in this world.

Christ used this changed man to show me Gods desire to use me in an un-formal ministry to serve others than myself with the gifts and blessings God has freely and Graciously given me...

So, the next time you are in line to eat, or at a gas station, or waiting in a park to get on a ride, and the person attending says, "it's ok Sir / Mam, your fee has been paid in full, go on and enjoy".  Remember Dear Friend, Jesus paid it all, and He touched someone's heart to show you He paid it all on that special occasion...  God still works in the hearts of men, and I am just old enough to remember, the old timers used to call that a miracle...

Matthew 25:40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ 

God Bless,

RC