Just As We Are!

 

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” *

            In the fall of 2021, I purchased two amaryllis bulbs, one to keep and the other for our daughter’s family. Without the picture on the front of the box, it would have been difficult to imagine the beauty that came from the seemingly lifeless bulbs a few months later.

Once planted, the bulbs produced stalks, leaves and several large red flowers. Later in the summer after the plants had continued to grow, I removed the bulbs from the soil, cut off the dead leaves and put them in a paper bag for about six weeks, with the plan to repot them in October.

The amaryllis came to mind over the past weekend, when Al and I attended two memorial services, each completely different from the other. The first service was held at a large church in an affluent neighborhood, where many people came together to honor a beloved wife, mother, teacher, musician, and friend who had recently passed away from brain cancer.

 Since both she and her husband were accomplished bassoonists, many of their colleagues who were musicians shared some of her favorite songs during the service—a beautiful, inspiring tribute. The Chancel Choir of that church also participated in her honor.

Favorite memories were shared by her family and a message of hope was given by the pastor. Her adult son told how her faith grew stronger during the three years she had cancer. Being confined to a wheelchair did not stop her from singing in the church choir; and when she could no longer play the bassoon, she took up the French Horn!

In the end, she died with peace and the assurance that she would be with the Lord in heaven. This gave her family hope and strength to face their loss. 

The following evening, Al and I followed the directions on our GPS to a theater in Pontiac, Michigan, where a service was being held for a homeless man known as Red. A young pastor welcomed us into the theater. We learned that his church was affiliated with the “Micah 6 community” in an economically depressed area of Pontiac.

Micah 6 began about ten years ago, when Coleman Yoakum had just graduated from college and wanted to make a difference in the lives of people in a low-income neighborhood of Pontiac, Michigan.  Coleman, along with several friends, bought a house and began trying to meet the needs of the people who lived there. Ten years later, the Micah 6 Community has expanded to include several more houses, an extensive community garden, a store that sells/gives the produce to the neighbors, an abandoned school-soon-to-be-community center, and a church.

Nearly all of the seats in the small theater were filled, as the pastor led in a time of worship. Afterwards some of Red’s family and friends shared stories about him. Red’s sister tearfully thanked Coleman and the pastor saying, “You brought him to God.” 

Although he had family in the area, Coleman and the Micah 6 community were Red’s family. He showed up unexpectedly at most of their functions and always spoke his mind! He knew he could find a hot meal, a place to shower and even a place to sleep when needed.  Over and over, Red was described as a person who was just himself. And he was much loved!

“That’s the way God wants you,” concluded the pastor, “Just as you are!”

Two very different services, two very different people, but both loved greatly by their family, friends and by the Lord.

So, what happened when the amaryllis bulbs were taken out of the dark bag and planted once again? They began to grow! New life!

Thanks be to God for accepting us “just as we are,” and for giving us the hope of eternal life through His Son’s death and resurrection.

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24 NIV)

*2 Corinthians 4: 6-7 NIV