The face was completely innocent. Her eyes were open and vulnerable. The willingness to experience life to the full unfettered. Her walk bounced, arms moved without thought, and hair naturally expressed her personality. Everything about her as a person screamed trust, faith, and happiness to anyone willing to listen. The joy radiating from her burned deep into my heart.
Walking the streets of New York last night in deep reflection brought a brand new set of faces. The contrast was stark. A bleak hardened face warily looked up at passing strangers. A timid and fearful young woman meekly rushed from point A to point B. A proud, arrogant, and yet unsure young man struts boldly as if nothing could touch or bother him.
Buried in each face is a heart looking to experience love and acceptance. Some are still young to the world, eager to experience what life has to offer; unaware of the pain and trauma that often comes with the passing of time. Others consider themselves wise to the streets, hardened by experience and abuse, ignorant of what beauty is waiting for them.
I wish I knew what I could say or do that would introduce them to the God I know. I also wish I could tear down the myths that represent themselves as god.
I do know that “God hates…a heart that hatches evil plots.” (Proverbs 6.16,18) I also know that God loves each person no matter what his or her heart and actions. The mystery and contrast between these two statements is difficult to comprehend.
As I walked, I could see all the reasons God continues to have mercy on us. It is not necessarily logical; love rarely acts that way. However, it is who God is. You and I have an advantage of most; we know of God’s love. We have experienced His touch and have an inkling of what life with him can be. Are we willing to share? Will we treat others as God treats us? Given my actions, this is a question laying out in stark contrast.
