My dog and I were walking down our hill when I heard the lyrical sounds of the neighborhood ice cream truck. Turkey in the Straw is one of the finest pieces of music ever composed. Much to my delight it was also coming down the hill. I easily could have been one of the five unprepared young ladies in Jesus’ story but this evening I was fortunate. I had my wallet with me. Pulling it from my pocket I was ready for a goodie. And then tragedy struck. As I was raising my hand he swept past me, totally disregarding me as if I were just some balding old man who no longer cared for ice cream. He never even looked in his rear view mirror. I must have been taller than his usual customer.
I wonder how often we stereo-typically profile people, sometimes granting them more status than they merit or just the reverse. Last week at a graduation in an affluent neighborhood I saw a tall elderly man standing as straight as an arrow. He wore a very expensive looking suit with a white handkerchief protruding from the upper suit coat pocket. His black French-toed shoes shone like glass. His subdued red tie gave him an appearance of one who had wielded power. Perhaps he still does. Even though he appeared to be in his eighties he was still very much intimidating. Wouldn’t I have been shocked to find out he was a retired college teacher? College profs cultivate a frumpy look.
I wonder how many times I have written people off when it comes to sharing Jesus with them. Underneath all the trappings of culture and class there often reside hungry souls just waiting for the Good News.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 27, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org