PICTURE THIS!
My buddy Jerry often includes a photo he has taken with his Inside Out!s. I, and millions of other "Inside Out!" readers, enjoy it when he does. It's nifty to actually see what he's writing about because it adds life and realism to his words.
I, on the other hand, rarely include pictures with my 'Whatcha' devotionals. "Why not?" you ask. Well, let's just say that when you've seen one picture of my thumb, you've seem 'em all. I am not the multi-talented dynamo that Uncle Jerry clearly is. He sings, writes, edits, takes wonderful photographs, makes really big dog houses and even does windows - what a guy! When I grow up I want to be just like him, and I mean that in all sincerity.
Well, this time around, I have included a photo in my 'Whatcha' snapped by moi. OK, so what did you see? Unfortunately the angle at which I took it, wasn't ideal, but I still think you can make things out if I explain it. Yep, I unlike Uncle Jerry, have to explain my photos! If you look carefully, you will find an adult store next to a pawnshop. Above both of those "establishments" is a church. In reality, the church is much higher than either one of these stores. As you drive by the stores, it appears that the church and its accompanying cross are directly above and between each of these seedy stores.
By now, I bet you can gather where I am going with this particular 'Whatcha'. I first noticed this arrangement of buildings about six months ago and I just finally remembered to take a camera with me to try and render it into bits and bytes.
What comes to mind when you think of an adult store? Perhaps I should rephrase the question. What SHOULD come to mind when you see an adult store? How about exploitation, sin, and spiritual bondage. How about pain and loneliness and broken relationships? I think of the most precious and intimate acts a husband and wife are capable of participating in, being cheapened and soiled — all for the cause of the almighty dollar. I think of love turned to lust.
Now, what do you think of when you consider a pawnshop? I think of hard times, overdue bills, broken dreams, and sold wedding rings. I think of empty stomachs and empty bottles and empty needles. I think of pink slips and eviction notices and food bank visits.
What happens when we put the two images together? You have a telling portrait of life lived as it was never intended. You have a snapshot of desperation - for love, for pleasure, for freedom from bondage. And, in the midst of this soiled pain and sorrow, is the cross.
At first you might think that the cross has no place in a picture of this sort. After all, how many of the lost souls that frequent the first two establishments would also frequent the third? Still, something tells me that the Church is commanded to be in the very middle of this picture, for it alone offers balm for the brokenhearted. It alone can restore to a pristine nature, the minds, the lives, and the relationships that have been sullied.
I want you to picture the place where the broken hearted in your community congregate for their services of sorrow. Do you see the sadness, the disillusion, and the vacuum of hopelessness? Have you got your picture firmly in mind? OK, so where is the Church in your picture? Is it anywhere to be seen, or is it found only in another picture of pine trees, manicured lawns and suburban malls? Let me leave you with one last thought to ponder. If Jesus were walking among us right now, where do you think you would find him?
In Luke 4:18,19, Jesus said of Himself: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
