Donovan is a
homeless man. He is short and dark with unkempt hair; always dirty, smelly and
grimy. This is not the kind of man you would expect to see in church mingling
with people, attired in their Sunday best.
But Donovan came to church one Sunday. He came while a visiting pastor
was preaching a message about the transforming power of Christ the Risen King.
Pain and
grief etched on his face, he rushed past the rows of seated churchgoers and
made his way to
the altar, while the pastor was immersed in his message of
hope.
But as
Donovan stretched out his extremely dirty and calloused hands, just for a touch
from the pastor, the man of God avoided them and continued preaching. Those
hands were just too messy to be touched. But Donovan persisted and stretched
them out even further. Still the preacher avoided the grime and dirt. I was
reduced to tears as I saw Donovan clutching instead a large, white Bible that
lay on the pulpit. The Bible seemed to provide the comfort that Donovan needed.
He was crying by now. I started crying too, as the scene brought home the
reality that there were many persons like Donovan who needed help and there was
no to offer them genuine assistance whether social or spiritual.
Then came
the altar call for those who needed “mending by the potter”. I hastily made my
way to the altar and stood right beside Donovan. He smelled terribly but I
could not complain about his stench because, before God, I too was smelly. My
stench was also reaching up to the nostrils of the Most High God on behalf of
His people. Our ways needed mending. We
are a selfish people that continue to ignore the poor and destitute, passing
them on the road every day, oblivious of their pain and suffering and also
neglecting to tell them that Jesus died for them too and that the Kingdom of
God is also opened to them.
Two deacons
came to the altar, laid hands on Donovan and started praying. They prayed until
sweat poured like rain from their brows. The church joined in prayer. It seemed
quite a painful exercise. After the altar call, the head pastor made a
nonchalant announcement that Donovan needed a shower and a change of clothes.
But Donovan
left the church as smelly and dirty as he came.
The following day I spotted him on East Queen Street in Downtown
Kingston wearing the same dirty clothes he had worn to church. My grief was
rekindled.
A prayer for the
homeless and destitute:
Almighty God, awesome
in power and might, help us to see others as you see them. Anoint us for the
awesome task of caring for the poor and needy of the nations. Bless willing
hearts with the resources to help those who cry daily for help. Prepare us as
vessels ready to do your will. Precious Lord, bless your children, whom you
have also prepared a place for. Amen!
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