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Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado
Though I like this picture, you have to admit that this pumpkin doesn't belong here. It is not in its natural setting. This isn't a pumpkin patch, it's a regional park. This pumpkin was intentionally set here by someone who carved it. There were many such pumpkins along this trail.
So it is that we might feel out of place where we are at this time.
We don't feel like we fit in at work. We might be self-conscience at the gym. We're not included in family conversations.
So we compare ourselves to people with leprosy in Jesus' day.
"In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. 'Lord,' he said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.' Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared." Luke 5:12 New Living Translation
What might only be a feeling for us was a reality for a leper in the Bible. They were literally untouchable, yet this didn't prevent Jesus from risking ritual uncleanness and touch the man.
The church exists to be the visible touch of Jesus.
The church is filled with people who have been wounded by their sin, yet touched by the mercy of Christ. In turn these wounded people touch others with that same healing love of Christ. As Henri Nouwen said, we are Wounded Healers.
Because of this human touch that reflects Christ, none of us our out of place.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
So it is that we might feel out of place where we are at this time.
We don't feel like we fit in at work. We might be self-conscience at the gym. We're not included in family conversations.
So we compare ourselves to people with leprosy in Jesus' day.
"In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. 'Lord,' he said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.' Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared." Luke 5:12 New Living Translation
What might only be a feeling for us was a reality for a leper in the Bible. They were literally untouchable, yet this didn't prevent Jesus from risking ritual uncleanness and touch the man.
The church exists to be the visible touch of Jesus.
The church is filled with people who have been wounded by their sin, yet touched by the mercy of Christ. In turn these wounded people touch others with that same healing love of Christ. As Henri Nouwen said, we are Wounded Healers.
Because of this human touch that reflects Christ, none of us our out of place.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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