Sunday 10 January 2010

Sum Zero

The great thing about
zero expectations
Is zero
disappointments.

Monday 4 January 2010

My Healer

Around 11:45 this morning, I looked up the local list of Al Anon meetings. I've been feeling some anger and resentment lately that I haven't been able to shake so I had a real urge to go. As God would have it, there was a meeting a mile away from my house that started at noon! So I jumped on my bike and headed down there. Of course, the topic was anger - and it was a great meeting with some great sharing from about 20 people who were dealing with the same stuff as me.

But the best part happened afterwards. The Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that is held at the same church let out just before us and everyone was either mingling or making their way off. I got on my bike and in my usual fashion sprinted toward home. Just as I got on the sidewalk I saw a man on a bike in front of me who'd just left the AA meeting, and he was going pretty slowly so I was planning the safest way to get around him. When I got up behind him though, I heard him singing something so I slowed down and followed him to listen. He was really belting out, with all his heart, "MY HEALER, MY HEALER, OH JESUS, OHHH, MY HEALER", a spiritual song I'd never heard. It was so beautiful, and this guy could really sing, but the conviction in his voice, the truth, the belief, the gratitude was what moved me most. I found myself crying, and followed him stealthy for several blocks, because I didn't want to disturb his moment with God. He'd just left an AA meeting, and was uplifted and couldn't help but praise Jesus Christ for delivering him the guilt and shame of sin and addiction. He is FREE because he's been HEALED by a loving and gracious Savior.

This man didn't know he was a living sermon today. Who knows how harrowing his story might be? We all have a story, we all have a cross to bear. Many broken spirits have been healed by Jesus Christ, and I praise my Father in heaven today that I'm one of them.

My healer, my healer, oh Jesus, oh, my healer.