God's Mighty Men I enjoyed a short trip last week at work to re-coop some mail and enjoyed some great quiet time. I used to travel allot for work a couple of years ago, but I have changed jobs and now my travels are minimal – I really miss those moments of quiet time. So on this trip I was able to enjoy some music and one of the songs had me thinking about who I surround myself with. Who are my Friends??????
The song and lyrics are below: enjoy and then I will share my thoughts:
Casting Crowns
Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I’m so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
Yeah…
Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who’s writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we’re for only what we’re against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they’re the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
‘Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours
And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah…
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
So as I look around at my friends what do I see – I see that I have protected myself well with some great and powerful friends who walk beside me. But what I do not see is an opportunity to be a witness as Jesus would have. I know that we have to be extremely careful when we are in the world and not be distracted by the enemy. These verses in John helped.
John 17:14-18 > 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
So I have been challenged to be that witness that I should be – and that does not mean that I drop my friends. Just the opposite – WE have to look for those opportunities to be a friend to all who need Jesus. It will take me out of my comfort zone and put me in situations where I will need help – that is why I have friends to walk beside me. The story of Jonathan and the armor bearer is a great example of that – and the battle that needs to be fought today. So as I get close to retirement I am going to have allot more time to put this into action. The song above did state that I can be a hindrance and cause people to stumble over me on their way to Jesus. So I do need to look at my Heart as I go forward and examine it on a daily basis to make sure it is in line with Jesus. I do look at being friends with sinners in a whole new way – my prayer is that I can..
So who are your Friends?
Do you have ones to walk along side of you as you go into the World?
Are you being Friends to the Sinners who need Jesus?
Bobbyg
PS: To those who call me their friend and I call them mine – be ready for the adventure that is to come…. THANKS
