March 22nd, 2023
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Blessings Overlooked
The Washington Post attempted an experiment in January 2007 to test people's powers of observation. They arranged for a young man named Joshua Bell to play music at the Metro station. By most measures, he was nondescript--wearing jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money and began to play. For the next 45 minutes, Bell played Mozart and Schubert as over 1,000 people streamed by, but most hardly noticed.
Had they paid attention, many might have recognized the young man for the world-renowned violinist he is. They also might have noted the violin he played--a rare Stradivarius worth over $3 million. Only three days earlier, Joshua Bell sold out Boston Symphony Hall, with ordinary seats going for $100. In the subway, Bell collected $32 from the 27 people who stopped long enough to give a donation.
The people at the subway station saw just another out-of-work musician playing for change. The reality was that they were witnesses to a world-famous musician.
In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we often fail to notice the amazing blessings standing in our paths. God has given us people who care about us and take care of many things we often take for granted to be done. We don’t notice the clean air we breathe, clean buildings we enter, the stocked shelves and friendly clerk who checks us out at the supermarket. We miss the kind and caring acts our spouses and family members do for us without fanfare. We overlook the street and road workers and courteous drivers who give us the right-of-way when they don’t have to do so.
Sometimes we complain about how difficult it can be living the Christian life. There is no doubt that living for Jesus can have its challenges, but the truth is that we have far more blessings in this life than troubles. God comes along side us and encourages us through other people and through his gentle urging in our spirits. Through the blood of Jesus, he has removed the guilt of our sins and the fear of death and hell. He gives us the church as a fellowship of believers to encourage us in our daily walk for Jesus.
Last Sunday, a man came up to be on his way out the door and announced, “I don’t know what I would do without this church.” What a declaration of thanksgiving for his blessings along the way.
This Sunday we will continue our series of messages preparing our hearts for the Resurrection Celebration we call Easter. The next message in this series titled, IN HIS STEPS is called, Blessings Along the Way and is based on John 10:3-11 and other passages.
Come and join us and don’t forget to utilize your Prayer and Devotional journals by the same title. If you don’t have the book, call the church office for one.
Walking with you in His blessings,
Jon
Blessings Overlooked
The Washington Post attempted an experiment in January 2007 to test people's powers of observation. They arranged for a young man named Joshua Bell to play music at the Metro station. By most measures, he was nondescript--wearing jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money and began to play. For the next 45 minutes, Bell played Mozart and Schubert as over 1,000 people streamed by, but most hardly noticed.
Had they paid attention, many might have recognized the young man for the world-renowned violinist he is. They also might have noted the violin he played--a rare Stradivarius worth over $3 million. Only three days earlier, Joshua Bell sold out Boston Symphony Hall, with ordinary seats going for $100. In the subway, Bell collected $32 from the 27 people who stopped long enough to give a donation.
The people at the subway station saw just another out-of-work musician playing for change. The reality was that they were witnesses to a world-famous musician.
In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we often fail to notice the amazing blessings standing in our paths. God has given us people who care about us and take care of many things we often take for granted to be done. We don’t notice the clean air we breathe, clean buildings we enter, the stocked shelves and friendly clerk who checks us out at the supermarket. We miss the kind and caring acts our spouses and family members do for us without fanfare. We overlook the street and road workers and courteous drivers who give us the right-of-way when they don’t have to do so.
Sometimes we complain about how difficult it can be living the Christian life. There is no doubt that living for Jesus can have its challenges, but the truth is that we have far more blessings in this life than troubles. God comes along side us and encourages us through other people and through his gentle urging in our spirits. Through the blood of Jesus, he has removed the guilt of our sins and the fear of death and hell. He gives us the church as a fellowship of believers to encourage us in our daily walk for Jesus.
Last Sunday, a man came up to be on his way out the door and announced, “I don’t know what I would do without this church.” What a declaration of thanksgiving for his blessings along the way.
This Sunday we will continue our series of messages preparing our hearts for the Resurrection Celebration we call Easter. The next message in this series titled, IN HIS STEPS is called, Blessings Along the Way and is based on John 10:3-11 and other passages.
Come and join us and don’t forget to utilize your Prayer and Devotional journals by the same title. If you don’t have the book, call the church office for one.
Walking with you in His blessings,
Jon
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