Monday, January 4th, 2010 "Have Your Heard?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, January 4^th, 2010
Title: Have You Heard?
Text: Matthew 10:27 (NIV) What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

In 2009 my wife and I made the decision that we would start a new tradition with our children. We have named this tradition the “Rite of Passage Trip”. The plan is that when each of our children reaches their 5^th grade year of school, and they are doing what they should be doing in school, at home and in general as they continue to develop as quality young people, we will take them on a 4-day trip to New York City. Just the three of us together in the Big Apple. Spending some quality time in one of the most magnificent cities in the world.

So during TK’s 5^th grade year, we boarded a plane and spent December 26^th-29^th seeing the sights, experiencing the city and spending some amazing time with each other building memories that will last a lifetime. We had a blast. We toured the city on one of the huge double-decker tour buses, we saw the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, threw football in Central Park, ate pizza at Ray’s and of course we popped into the Toys R Us in Time Square. The entire trip was magical and it was a wonderful gift for Kim and me to spend some personal time with our oldest right before he hits middle school. And we all know what life become like once that occurs.

New York City is always a place that is filled with people, but never before have I ever seen it like this. I mean, it was wall-to-wall people. I would have paid big money to get a glimpse of what the sea of humanity must have looked like from above. People shoving and pushing their way past each other. Trying to keep up with their friends. Attempting to navigate the hustle and bustle of the chaos. It was simply crazy. There was one time when we were trying to get from Central Park to the subway station in Time Square that, as snaked our way through the pushing and pulling bodies, I began to think about something. A question rang out so clearing in my mind and it consumed me so much so that from that moment on I didn’t even recall how I finally reached the other side and found my way into the subway station. The question was a short and simple one. “Do they know?” Three small and seemingly insignificant words once put together made a truly significant inquiry. Did the people around me know that they are special? Did they know that the creator of the universe also created them? Did they know that no matter what they were going through, what they had done, where they had been, what mistakes they had made, or whatever garbage the world had fed them to the contrary, that God loves them? That they are special and have a true purpose?

The sad fact is that while some of those people may have known those things, I rubbed shoulders and came within a fraction of an inch of people that had no clue. I passed by people who may never come into a life-changing relationship with God and never hear the good news of the life, death and resurrection of our savior.

Now, to be fair to myself and my family, it may have been a bit difficult to bring our journey to a screeching halt while I grabbed some stranger as asked them about their faith. But the truth of the matter is that from day to day I find myself around people where I do have that opportunity. At the bank, in the store, at the gym. And yet I still don’t take advantage of those Godly appointments to allow God to speak through me and share with them the greatest love story every. Am I selfish? Am I too dense to realize? Am I so self-absorbed in my own life or am I just too lazy? Or am I scared? Whatever the excuse is, it just isn’t good enough. I am a Christ-Follower, and it is my mission, my call, my job, and it should be my passion to live a life that proclaims who God is, how God has changed my life and how God wants to do the same for all of us.

So watch out world. Don’t be surprised if you see me perched high upon a roof somewhere singing the praises of God. And if you’re bold enough you can feel free to join me. I’ll save a spot for you.