Theme: Eyes for the Margins

Jesus had eyes to see the outcast, downtrodden and lonely, those culture places on the fringe of belonging-the sinful, the poor, the diseased, the imprisoned.  Dear Father, Give us eyes to see those who live on the fringe of society.  May we live to share the “good news” and glorify Your name as we lend a helping hand.

How many times have you found yourself living on the fringe (on the outside, rejected, broken)?     

Jesus lived there.  He was “one” with the Father.  They walked together in spirit, continually in communication and sync with One another. Oh, to be like Jesus, each moment, living in the will of our Heavenly Father!

Without God, the fringe is a place of desperate loneliness, time creeps along when hope is nil, joy and peace are hidden from the heart’s view.  

Let us remember the lovely soul/s that noticed our situation and befriended us, not forgetting the companion who let down a rope into our pit of despair.   This one who brought good news of hope and healing to a destitute heart, a friend who knew God created each with a purpose, seeing beauty behind the ashes.

Shouldn’t we yearn to return the favor to the downcast and the lost?  “Father, give us Your eyes to see, give us Your arms for the brokenhearted, give us Your heart for the forgotten ones, give us Your love for all humanity”, (quoting from the chorus of a popular song today).

Give me your eyes-chorus
(By Brandon Heath)
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Father God,

Forgive us for the haughtiness, busyness or fear that keep us from reaching out to the hurting.  Teach us to love and serve unselfishly without prejudice , just as Jesus our LORD modeled for us.  Show us when to speak, when to give and when to listen.  Thank You, Father, for each blessing You rain down on us day after day, faithfully loving us and sustaining our lives.

In Jesus Holy name, Amen   

Mischelle Oliver, Stephenville