Recently, our local Christian radio station, hosted a free Brandon Heath concert at the Mall of America. I knew people would be there quite early to get a seat or in line for an autograph. However, I was okay with standing, so, I arrived with about 45 minutes to spare. What I saw when I got there was quite amazing. It was packed. Every level had people seated and standing, a few rows deep, around the entire rotunda.
I finally found a spot, behind the stage, however, the view was completely blocked by the elevator. No biggie I thought, I'd still be able to hear. I sat down and got comfortable on the hard floor. Shortly afterwards, one of the radio personalities came out on the stage to greet everyone. I couldn't hear a word she was saying, not because it was loud, but because of where I was sitting. If I was going to hear the concert, I was going to have to move.
As I was deciding where I was going to move, a family of four (mom, dad, & two elementary school age kids) got off the elevator. From listening to the conversation of the parents, I gathered, they had looked for a spot on the other two floors with no success. They quickly realized third floor was no different from floor one and two, so they devised a plan. They were going to go back down to the second floor and then this is what they said to their kids, “we will just push our way in”.
I decided to move and found myself a spot left of the stage, sitting down next to a family with two darling little kids. I didn't have a great view, but as least I could hear. The concert was wonderful and I enjoyed every song. Throughout the entire concert though, I couldn't stop thinking about what I had overheard. It really bothered me. I mean it really bothered me.I thought about what a non-Christian would think if they heard this. I thought about what the children were learning. I thought about the irony of being at a Christian concert and “pushing your way in”.
This morning, I was watching a Joyce Meyer telecast. She said something that resonated with me and I quickly wrote it down in my journal….after we receive Christ we are given a ministry, a ministry to be an example of Christ everywhere we go. Revelation. I was exactly where God wanted me to be that day. He wanted me to overhear the conversation I did, not to condemn or judge others, but to reveal to me my actions. Reveal to me when I am not an example of Him. My first thoughts turned to earlier in the week when I met a friend for coffee. There I was gossiping and at the very next table sat a women's Bible study group. I wonder if they were bothered by me, I mean really bothered, just like I was?
by Brandon Heath
Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
