Pioneers Sweat....
Brokenness cannot hide real beauty! Seeking out the treasure in the sweat
Today was special.
I met some amazing people.
People who many might say have gotten what they deserved by their own decisions
And yet
They were beautiful in so many ways.
They demonstrated a warmth or welcome, acceptance, friendship and community.
It the midst of a boxing gym, run down, soaked in sweat, with the resounding of thumps echoing in the air as the gloves hit the bags, I saw a glimpse of heaven! I saw Jesus standing in the midst. There was beauty in the sweat!
I shared with one 24 year old who two years ago was given a year to live because of a brain tumour and is still living, as he said every moment of every day. What a good man, what a sad story, that hes chosen to use for good! I was deeply touched and blessed.
Yes, I literally saw Jesus standing in the midst.
In those moments as I observed a group of people in recovery and other interesting backgrounds, gathered by a rugged Salvation Army employee, with the greatest of names, I thought this is what we were created for! Here was the Salvation Armys mission. Church! A man who does not realise how gifted, passionate and called he is! A man who for many years has felt isolated, yet has remained faithful. A man who is the embodiment, in my opinion of all that we stand for. This man demonstrated good news! Hope to the forgotten and broken!
Yes, I glimpsed the smile of Jesus upon this group. I sensed this was the Body of Christ, together united in their common purpose and pursuit of wellness, of a new way forward of hope, of new beginnings. How can a sweaty dark boxing gym be beautiful? When Jesus is present. Yet most didnt even realise that Jesus was amongst them! (well not yet they didnt)
I prayed for everyone of these men and women as I sat watching. I thought, I need to get my shorts out! I have to join in with them, I heard the words of Luke 4:18, ‘the spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted and to set the captives free’.
Today in these moments of sweating bodies, I saw beauty being revealed. I saw beauty in the seeming brokenness. Beauty in the sweat.
Thank you for sharing. A great example of how Jesus is there even when we don’t see him.
Love this Andy - "Church Without Walls" in action, what a wonderful example of Jesus's Spirit being embodied in the midst of His creation; may He continue to use you to imbibe His beauty, compassion, kindness, hope, joy, love & faith in this community church, and may you continue to see Him in the midst of His creation. I pray that the One on road to Emmaus is revealed in their midst - to God be the Glory!