He
had hopes and dreams in his youth. He played hide and seek, dodge ball
and had many friends. He had food on the table, slept in a warm bed at
night and had parents who loved him very much. In high school he was
the star quarterback, went to dances and had a steady girlfriend. But
that one evening irrevocably changed his life forever. It
was Saturday night, the mist covering the windshield as they headed up
the steep, windy mountain rode. Three cars filled with boys, girls and
beer. They had just won the biggest game of the year against their
rival school. It was going to be a night of celebrating. They
reached the top, piled out and started to party. Half an hour later,
five cars pulled into the dusty parking lot. A group of people jumped
out. They were older and looked like a rough crowd.
The
quarterback was drunk and agitated that they were trying to crash the
party. He shouted, "Get out of here! You need to find somewhere else to
go…this is our spot." The rough crowd charged him. A teammate jumped
in front of the quarterback, something bright flickered in the
moonlight. Sliding into his chest, he slumped over and fell to the
ground. They ran to their cars, tires spinning up dust as they sped
away from the scene of the crime.
Stunned, the quarterback
picked up his teammate, running to his car he carefully put him inside.
He raced to the nearest hospital, where he was pronounced dead on
arrival. The knife had penetrated his heart.
Life was never the
same, he felt responsible for his teammates death. He began to drink
heavily and take drugs to numb the pain and guilt. As the years passed
his hopes and dreams faded away, he withdrew from life. The
homeless man stood at the corner. He was dirty, hungry and cold. The
harsh realities of life along with his poor choices and guilt had
beaten, worn and taken away all of his dignity. People walked past him,
as he held his sign up asking for food. They looked at him with
disdain. Someone shouted, "Get a job loser!"
The homeless star
quarterback was asking for food, but he also needed love, compassion
and forgiveness. He had been judged his entire life. Who would reach
out to him? Who would see past his appearance and notice the lost,
hurting soul inside? He needed nourishment for his soul. He needed the
love of Christ.
When you look at others, do you see their
appearance or do you try to look at them through Christ's eyes? It's so
easy to judge, but we are called to be different. Remember, our actions
should speak louder than words. Don't walk by someone needing your
help. Show them the love and compassion of your Savior Jesus Christ.
"If
I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to
wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you
should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a
servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater
than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you
do them."John 13:14-17
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