A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

Luke 14:21, “So the servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.’” I was on my way home from work recently and needed to stop at the grocery store. There are two at which I usually shop. One is strictly a grocery store. I like it because I can get in and out fast and most of the parking spots are reasonably good. The other is a massive super retail giant where you can buy anything needed for the home, including groceries. The smaller store is more convenient but does not inventory some grocery items we prefer. On this particular day I noticed the list that Pam had given me included some items that were only found at the larger store. It had been an unusually taxing day and all I wanted to do was go home and unwind. But duty called. As I made my way into the parking lot of the shopping center, I was hoping for a parking spot close to the front door. The only ones available near the front were the handicapped ones. I made several circuits through the parking lot. The only places I could find to park were at the farthest points from the door. I grumbled to myself, “By the time I get back here, my ice cream will have melted.” But I parked and made the long journey to the entrance. On my way out of the store, I passed by one of the handicapped places to see a gentleman with severe physical challenges being lowered in his wheelchair by a lift. How selfish I had been to begrudge the long walk. Then, as only He can, the Holy Spirit reminded me, that in the Kingdom of God, the ones who have the most severe handicaps are afforded the places closest to the entrance, otherwise they would not be able to make the long journey. Physically, I have been blessed with good health. But spiritually, I was severely impaired. Because of God’s great mercies, He has designated each of us a place close to the entrance so that we can, by His grace, easily gain access to His Kingdom with each new day.