We’re all homeless without God
It is not clear in my mind if I’ve ever in-the-moment witnessed a miracle before now except for the birth of my two children. The welcoming of my two girls into this world were both definite miracles and I was awake and present to realize the beauty and majesty of each event both times. Both births were certainly a miracle of God.
Today, I was in my church where it was partly cloudy outside and approximately 61 degrees in our fair city of Jacksonville, Florida. While the sun was peeking out between the clouds, it was breezy and cool. The church in which I attend is one of the largest churches in the area and our large auditorium was quite full on this Sunday morning with about 7,000 in attendance.
Generally speaking, I sit on the left side of the downstairs area where I’ve found myself for at least 15 years or more. Outside the door where I sit is the Jacksonville transportation hub station and bus exchange area. Among the patrons there are many homeless folks and transient people. These individuals are welcome in our church but security keeps them from loitering around the building or asking church-goers for money.
Sitting downstairs by the nearest door to the station and rescue mission, church-goers often see homeless drop in and take a seat. Today was one of those days. An average sized man sat in the pew behind and down from me. When I looked back, I could get a clear view of him and there was no doubt from his smell and appearance that he had no home. As he sat waiting for the service to begin he had nothing in his grip except the church bulletin which he had rolled up and held between both obviously dirty hands.
Our church service today began with the drumline of the group who often play at the Jacksonville Jaguars’ football games. The beat was loud and powerful and then when accompanied by the large choir and orchestra singing “ All Creatures of our God and King” the auditorium filled with the presence of God. Then the choir, orchestra and specialist, Annabelle, sang and the harmony arose from the loft of the choir members and on to the congregation praising God and worshipping in music and song. It was so profound and simply brought in the presence of God and His glory. It was truly magnificent.
There were at least 9 on our pew and behind that group one lone homeless man. The area around us was spotted with folks sitting in twos and threes or in families but it seemed he was far and away by himself on the end of that pew and when I looked backwards I saw both of his hands covering his dirt-smudged face. I knew he was having a moment with God. He was crying and his body was shaking. I could seen he was totally with God and so I prayed fervently asking God to do His work and His will in the life of this man, in my own life and in the life of our church.
The sermon touched on the Sanctity of Life and the importance of even one person. I felt as if this man had a divine appointment with God because the pastor spoke about the life of one person being God’s mission, His heart and His purpose. The preacher told of a homeless man coming into our church, being friended by a member and now coming regularly and even working on his GED (high school diploma). It was as if this whole service was not only for a person like me whom God loves but also for this seemingly lonely man who needed serious direction in his life.
By the end of the service, singing “At the Cross” and then “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and ending in Just As I Am”, those on our entire pew were almost all in tears. God had moved and lives were being changed then and there. There was no question the power of God’s presence was in that place.
As the final verse of “Just As I Am” rang out, and the preacher was encouraging folks to come forward and to trust the Savior for a new life and a new beginning, the homeless man yelled out, “I’m coming”. I’m going to come!” His eyes were filled with tears and before it was all said and done, a sweet little lady dressed in a beautiful blue dress who had her hair coiffured the day prior put her arm in the arm of the dirty-jacketed man and walked with him down the aisle for renewal.
What was the miracle? The miracle was God at work in the lives of both rich and poor and God changing hearts right there in the service and for everyone to see, hear and experience.
I can’t think of a time that I’ve witnessed a miracle except for the birth of my two girls but today, I believe I saw the miracle of the life of a homeless man come to Christ. I don’t know his heart of course, but I saw his passion to go forward, his outward yell towards freedom and his willingness to take this sweet 80 something year old woman’s arm to go seek the Savior. May I strive to live for Christ every single day and experience the miracle that salvation in Jesus brings.
Josie