Karen Rabbitt

Flying High

As we approached downtown on our morning walk, a Canadian goose landed on the top of the courthouse tower. 

“There’s a goose that’s been hanging out with pigeons,” I said to my husband. We watched it fly away as we entered the parking deck where he works. 

He smiled. “There’s your devotional for the day.” 

“Yeah, if the ones you hang with fly high, you will too.” I kissed him and continued on my morning exercise. 

Like the goose, who has the wings to lift himself to that high perch, we have the ability to reach the pinnacle of God’s plan for us. Having never seen a goose perched on the tip of the tower, I’m guessing he’s seen pigeons on that roof. We, too, have the ability to soar, but we need to hang with those who model the behavior for us. We need the vision that others provide. 

If we parent, we want to learn from patient, wise parents. If we are meant to teach, we’ll want to observe how master teachers teach. If we sense a call to evangelism, we’ll study the lives of those who’ve led many people into relationship with Jesus. 

No one soars alone. We need others to teach us, mentor us, and pray for us. Only then can we reach the peak of God’s plan.

Father, please provide those who will show us how to reach for your heights.

Content to be Discontent?

God honors boldness. In Luke 19, when Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd following Jesus to climb the sycamore tree, he expected to get a better view, not a better life. But Jesus, seeing his audacity, walked into Zacchaeus’ house and heart. Zacchaeus collected taxes for the Roman occupiers, keeping for himself whatever he could extort beyond the Roman levy. Like a Frenchman collaborating with the Nazis during WWII, he was ostracized. Jesus’ closeness convicted Zacchaeus of his separation from the community. He vowed to make restitution, thus opening the way to restoration. 

Zacchaeus was bold because he was discontent. He wanted something he could not get without a risky move. Are we discontent? Are we content to be discontent? Do we tolerate an unsatisfying job for fear of change? Do we go through the motions of Christianity without giving our hearts? Are we happy enough in our ministry? Is there a place where we want to see God’s power? How can we let our discontent move from crowd-following to risky faith? 

Makes me nervous just thinking about climbing a tree, alone, exposed. But if that boldness is what it takes for Jesus to come close… 

Father, send your bold Holy Spirit into our hearts, right now. Whatever boldness we exert comes from you.  

To See as He Sees

Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:30  NIV

Her eyes are dull, her mouth turns down, and her step is slow. She’s over fifty and she weighs over two hundred pounds. “Kathy” is a church acquaintance from a congregation we attended thirty years ago. By any American standard, greeting customers at Mejiers, she’s one of the “last.” Leaving the store on Monday, I smiled a greeting.

“Karen, George had open-heart surgery four weeks ago.” George was her husband, so overweight the last time I’d seen him that he was using an electric scooter.

 I stopped and turned toward her. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is he recovering okay?”

“He’s diabetic, so healing has been slow, but God has been with us.”

 As she went on to describe their ordeal, I took an internal deep breath and consciously focused on her words.

 As I listened, watching her face, a completely different image flashed through my mind. I saw her leading a line of worshippers, twirling a red silk flag, stepping high, eyes flashing in joy and wonder.

 After a few minutes she said, “Well, I’d better let you go.” As I walked away, I thought, I’ve just seen her through God’s eyes. To him, she is a precious, delightful worshipper, first in line. God doesn’t conceal impatience in her presence. He rejoices over her heart. He looks forward to the consummation of her life in the fully realized Kingdom. 

Father, we need your eyes to see each other as you see us.